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Jarrett's Joy Cart continues to spread love

December 07, 2005|Zoya Tereshkova

Jarrett's Joy Cart Holiday Store was open all night Tuesday at the University of Kentucky Children's Hospital, and close to 50 young patients, some with their families and some with volunteers, did their Christmas shopping for their parents, brothers and sisters and other family members.

Patricia Magdaleno of Lexington said that her grandson, six-year-old Filiberto Verdin, 6, who is now a patient at the Children's Hospital, said that doing Christmas shopping brightened the little boy's day.

"He was so excited, so happy that he could pick a gift for his mom and dad," she said.

Jarrett's Joy Cart rolls along the Children's Hospital hallways 47 weeks out of the year, but Christmas season is the busiest time.

"Children that get to be in the hospital during holiday are upset that they can not go shopping for their parents, so we provide that opportunity for them," said Jennifer Mynear, who started the program together with her son, Jarrett, in December 2001. Jarrett was diagnosed with a bone cancer called Ewing's Sarcoma when he was two and a half. He died when he was 13.

Mynear explained that there are many organizations that bring gifts and do Christmas parties for children in the hospital, but doing their own shopping gives them sense of control that is lacking from their lives.

"They can not leave the hospital, and doctors and nurses tell them what to do medically. They feel that they're completely out of control, and they appreciate a chance to make decisions whom to include in their shopping list and what to buy ," she said.

Khmarkis Blanton of Lexington, 10, said that he was happy that he could get presents for his two sisters and and two brothers, ,

"I'm a big brother," he said. "I've got to give them presents."

He said he got "girl stuff" for Nadasia, 9, and Zhasia, 7, and a toy motorcycle and a spider man for Ohmante, 8, and Jahdon, 5.

"Those are cool toys, I know they'll like it," said Khmarkis.

Cassie Dailey of Morehead helped her daughter, Emily, to do her Christmas shopping at the store.

"It seems to cheer her up quite a bit," she said.

There were 25 volunteers helping that day. Some took children and their families around the store, and some took gifts to the hospital rooms.

"It was a very rewarding experience," said Pattie Elliott of Nicholasville.

She said that it's been several years since Jarrett started his Joy Cart, but "the energy is as strong now as it was when he was here."

Elliott said that she and her daughter, Amanda, have volunteered for the project for three years. Jarrett was Amanda's classmate for three years before he died.

Jennifer Nime Palumbo of Lexington, a volunteer who also was friends with Jarrett, said that the joyful atmosphere reminded her of Jarrett's personality.

"I think he's up there somewhere smiling down at us right now," she said.

Another shopping day at the store is scheduled for next Tuesday, Dec. 13. For information on how to make a donation, e-mail Jennifer Mynear at dkmynear@aol.com. Donated items are requested to be new, in the range of $5 to $10, unbreakable and can be either wrapped or unwrapped. Money donations are also acceptable.

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