Sometimes things just come together like they were meant to happen. That’s how Denise Williams, Principal of Maeser Elementary, feels about an exciting school wide fundraiser and service project underway for a special Maeser student with a rare form of Epilepsy. At 6 months old, Jake Cook began having up to 20 seizures a day and became 1 of 4 Utahns diagnosed with SCN8A and only 1 of 250 people diagnosed with this form of Epilepsy worldwide so far. He is unable to talk, walk, or care for himself, making mobility an ongoing and expensive task as he grows. Learning of a way they could help, the administration at Maeser Elementary had an idea. “At Maeser, we want to focus on the good,” shares Principal Williams. “We found out that Jake and his family are in need of a jogger wheelchair. We had an assembly to learn more about Jake and introduce our service project.” Each student was asked to earn one dollar to donate to Jake’s new jogger wheelchair and excitement spread like fire among the students. “We want students to learn that when we work together, our collective efforts can make a huge difference for someone else,” explains Williams. “It has been amazing to hear students talk about their service…. Students are working hard to make the magic happen for Jake and his family and we are grateful that Josh and Cami are letting us serve their family.” In addition to the fundraising effort, the school is having a reading contest. If as a school they are able to read 2,000 hours before spring break, Classic Air Medical helicopter will deliver the jogger wheelchair to the school in high flying fashion. The entire experience has been one of love and community growth for not only Jake and his family but, perhaps especially, for the students and staff of Maeser who now share in the joy of broadening the opportunities for a fellow student they know and love better. The Cook family has extended their sincere gratitude for Principal Williams and all involved in making it possible for Jake to get out hiking, biking, camping, and just living life!
