It was about 15 years ago, I was driving down the road, listening to the Making Miracles Radiothon for Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. As parents sobbed, describing their babies’ harrowing fights, I leaned into the steering wheel to see the road through my tears. I didn’t have much to give, but I donated to the hospital and wished it could be more. How wonderful it’d be, I thought, to have the means to help in a helpless situation.
Now I run a non-profit and do just that. I help families in need. But I never in a million years would’ve guessed how I’d end up in this position.
We were besotted with Max. Still are. He was our first baby, our introduction to that all-consuming, unconditional love that parents know so well. We were rapt by his big brown eyes, full features, wild curls, and goodness, the perfect inflection to the most random words. We’ll never hear the word “door” and not think of Max. When Dan and I say, “I do,” no matter the context, we repeat it the way Max said it. So many songs conjure an image of our boy, his hands in the air, running through the house, a trail of squeals in his wake. His brothers ask us to tell Max stories and, though there’s an abundance, there will never be enough. Max was magic. We miss everything about him and all the memories we never got the chance to create. I had our entire story written in my mind; a lifetime spent together. I pictured Max, Uncle Max as his nieces and nephews would call him, as a grown man, filling our days with joyful wonder. My heart still floats at the thought.
Max on his 4th birthday
It’s been six years since we lost Max, and nearly as long since we began sharing the Maximus Janton Foundation wherever, whenever we can. We have joined legions of bereaved parents who choose to launch a non-profit in memory of their child. Down this path we have found renewed purpose, a way to actively, outwardly continue our love and dedication for Max, a way to share his spirit with the hope that he’ll always be remembered, and that his name will be spoken for the rest of our days, maybe even beyond.
We keep the foundation as simple as possible – no employees and as little overhead as possible. We don’t set fundraising goals; we give what is donated and are constantly amazed by how far that reaches.
The Maximus Janton Foundation created a lot of magic this year, thanks to the generosity of you, our supporters. Every donation feels personal to us, every donor’s name inscribed on our hearts. In previous years, I managed to write handwritten thank you notes for every donation. I hate that I fell short of that this year. Know that if you’ve contributed to Max’s foundation, if you’ve registered for or sponsored an event, if you’ve sent a text with well wishes, if you’ve volunteered, it is not forgotten. Your name is known, and we are profoundly grateful for you.
As we close 2023, we want to share a list of all we accomplished together this year. As you scroll through, we hope you recognize the impact you had. And, as always, we hope you know you’re always welcome wherever we are – at any of our events, at any of our giving opportunities, to help us brainstorm more ways to help – you always have a place with us.
OUR EVENTS
Max’s Moon Run was on May 5th this year, so we called it Cinco de Max! Though the weather kept me on the brink of a nervous breakdown, the good times carried on and we raised $20,000!
The 3rd Annual Max’s Moon Run
The Friends FORE Max Janton Golf Classic was on October 2nd. After sending out just one invitational email, we filled up the tournament with 28 teams. We were amazed! So many familiar faces and many new ones joined us for a gorgeous day at The Standard Club and raised $50,000!
The 2023 Friends FORE Max Janton Golf Classic
The girls at Mint Juleps hosted our annual shopping party on November 11th and we had so much fun! It’s our smallest fundraiser and possibly my favorite. It’s simple, sweet, and requires little to no work on my end – yay! Mint Juleps gave us 20% of the profits from the two-hour shindig, which amounted to $1,400!
Our shopping party at Mint Juleps
Our online donations were incredibly generous in 2023. Some may give randomly, some monthly, and all of them make me smile. This year, MaximusJantonFoundation.org brought in $18,643.36.
money raised from events & donations received: $90,043.36
We provided in a variety of ways this year. While we maintain our scholarship program with The Music Class, they carried over a balance from 2022 and did not require a contribution from us this year. We continued with other annual contributions and were happy to give in new ways.
WE GAVE…
$1,371.68
We shopped for a local elementary special needs classroom and surprised them with new sensory and learning toys on Valentine’s Day.
Valentine’s Day surprise at a local special needs classroom.
$9,707.75
We surprised two special needs children with customized bicycles this spring. Big thanks to Freedom Concepts!
$5,000
We sponsored a family to attend the Costello Syndrome Conference, where they met with doctors to learn more about their child’s diagnosis.
$1,161.81
We surprised a special needs pre-K teacher and bought everything on her classroom wishlist.
$4,053.90
We contributed to multiple GoFundMe’s to assist special needs families.
$30,000
This year was our biggest annual contribution to the Miracle Babies Foundation, which provides for families at the Northside-Forsyth Hospital NICU. This year’s donation brought our 6-year total to $100,000! We never imagined a number this big. It’s extremely emotional for us, as this NICU is where Max spent his first month of life; it’s where he was named, where so many friendships were formed, and where we first bonded as a family.
$12,000
In celebration of Max’s 12th birthday on July 24th, we committed $12,000 to support early education special needs classrooms in our community. These funds will be used to create and renovate sensory rooms for students.
$1,451.55
We purchased a new hospital-grade bed for a man who has special needs and is especially dear to our hearts.
The sweetest recipient of a brand new, hospital-grade bed.
$3,250.70
We catered lunch for 229 villagers and employees at Annandale Village, a non-profit residential community that serves adults with developmental disabilities and acquired brain injuries. We also provided lunch for a staff of 25 at the Northside Hospital Forsyth NICU to thank them for the amazing service they provide hundreds of families each year.
$3,900
Thirty-nine families with children who have special needs participated in Wonder Night at Gwinnett Church on December 3rd. We surprised each family with $100 to help with extra expenses during the Christmas season.
39 families received a gift of $100
$10,801.74
We adopted three families this Christmas. We bought and wrapped all the gifts for two of the families and gave all three families checks, totaling $5,500, to help them through difficult financial times. We also donated a dozen coats and sweatsuit sets to provide for children in need at a local elementary school.
TOTAL GIVE: $82,641.58
We’re grateful for every opportunity we’ve been given to help and never forget that it wouldn’t be possible without you. We thank you with all that we have. Thank you so much for fueling our efforts and for keeping Max in your hearts.
With sincere gratitude,
the Janton family
here is the deepest secret nobody knows
(here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud
and the sky of the sky of a tree called life;which grows
higher than soul can hope or mind can hide)
and this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart
i carry your heart(i carry it in my heart)
e.e. cummings