Jam 4 Jimi's Friends Fundraiser Today

Today marks the fifth annual Jam 4 Jimi’s Friends fund-raiser at the Orange Ale House, 517 Boston Post Road, from noon to midnight.

Once again, 11 local bands:  including, Navels, Total Hacks, Tune Squad, Highfield, Streets, Bad Boy, Rogue Satellite, Elwoods, Samurai Cab Company, Sell Outs and Liplok are donating their time and talent to the cause.

Raffle prizes, give-aways, food, drink specials and more will be offered for the cost of admission. For just $20, you can help dozens of special needs children enjoy life.

Humble beginning

Back in January 2007 Kristin Wright was desperately searching for a way to help her son, Jimi, enroll in a specialized program for his Asperger’s Syndrome. Her medical insurance would not pay for this treatment.

“I was blessed to have a strong circle of friends, which grew into a bigger group of acquaintances and even strangers to support my son’s cause,” Wright said. “They volunteered their time, designed a logo, gathered raffle prizes and many local bands jammed for free.”

And so, the first annual Jam 4 Jimi’s Friends Fund-raiser was born. It was an inspirational show of generosity and all shared a memorable time.

“This spirit has continued to grow over the past five years and now we are able to help many other children with special needs. In fact we have become like family helping to support each other,” Wright said. “The “Jam 4 Jimi’s Friends” Fundraiser has been able to provide assistance with the payment of medical bills, multiple disciplines of therapy, a wheelchair ramp and local summer camps for these incredible kids.”

Progress

Jimi Wright recently was honored with third place in the P.T. Barnum Award for children who help in their community. P.T. Barnum showed strong community support and continues to recognize children who do the same.

“Jimi was treated like a VIP and was presented with his award in the center ring. To think that just a few years ago this was a child who struggled because the lights were to bright or the noise level was to loud,” his mother said. “Just to get through a day was such a challenge. Now he is a success story that continues to inspire us all and he has become the biggest promoter of the event.”

As a bonus, a bond has been created amongst the kids and their families as they also have enjoyed monthly trips to baseball games, haunted hayride, circus, therapeutic horseback riding at Locket’s Meadow in Bethany, among many others.

As you can see, the Jam 4 Jimi’s Friends has provided financial assistance and emotional support to these families, they hope they can count on the local community’s support to help make this year’s event the best jam ever!

The day includes a Kids’ Room, featuring Karaoke with Jim, face painting with “Jammie the Gentle Clown,” magic show with “Billy and Friends,” arts & crafts, and popcorn.

All of this for $20.00! Children 12 and under admitted free!

Visit the Jam4Jimi website at www.jam4jimi.org and check out this year’s incredible kids and the rest of their story.