JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Christmas came a little early for some kids at Jacksonville's Ronald McDonald house today. Four Jacksonville Jaguars spread some joy during a surprise visit. The kids are fighting cancer and other illnesses. They are being encouraged by the players to never, ever give up.
Jags quarterback Jordan Palmer says, "We're just trying to spread some joy." Palmer, along with his teammates Antonio Denard, Brett Brackett and Jordan Todman distributed Holiday JoyJars to the kids. It was in conjunction with the Jessie Rees Foundation.
Palmer says he's happy to be here to help a little girl's legacy live on.
"It's an amazing story of a little girl named Jesse who was diagnosed with a rare brain tumor and her middle name was Joy and she created JoyJars and she's passing them on."
Each holiday JoyJar carries 15-20 new, age appropriate, toys within its brightly covered sealed jar for courageous kids with cancer. Jessie started distributing JoyJars herself in 2011 during her fight against inoperable brain cancer. She passed away in January of this year and the foundation she started now serves 196 children's hospitals, and every Ronald McDonald House in America. Holiday JoyJars were created in partnership with partners UPS and Anthem Blue Cross of California to make sure every child is supported this season.
Jessie Rees always signed off her blog posts with
NEGU - never ever give up! An organization now lives on in her honor.
