Give the gift of a healthy break for caregivers

Ryan and his "play pal" Diana having fun at Joey’s Gift.

​When Bob and Wendy Minotti’s beloved son Joey passed away, they committed themselves to a mission of love in Joey’s name. They established Joey’s Gift, an effort to ensure that families with disabled children have access to the respite services necessary to keep their children close and families intact. 

​The Minottis, drawing from their own experience of being forced to place Joey outside the home, have created a pathway of hope for other families dealing with the stress of constant caregiving. Partnering with Easterseals Northeast Central Florida in 2007, Bob and Wendy continue to realize their dream of helping others through Joey’s Gift  Respite Care program at Easterseals.

Easterseals understands that parents who may have left their child with special needs for the very first time could feel extremely anxious. That's why Easterseals offers free care and encouragement for parents of children with disabilities and allows them to take a short, healthy break with their spouse, go shopping alone, or carve out time to offer focused attention to another child in the family. The greatest impact of the Joey’s Gift program is the precious opportunity for families to feel comfortable and entitled to a short healthy break.

Will you help Easterseals keep this robust and important program flourishing in our community? Your financial gift will continue and enhance Joey’s Gift FREE monthly events.  You can Adopt-A-Day, sponsor the Fun Day activity, or just help with crafts and snacks.  If you feel led, you can help EXPAND respite care to Easterseals DeLand center and Project WARM in Bunnell.  

When grateful parents return from their break, we often hear, “It gives my husband and I a few hours a month to relax, enjoy a little freedom, and get a much needed break” and “Parenting alone is hard, especially with a child with special needs.  Now I have a few precious hours each month to recharge so I can be at my best.”

In short, a healthy break is a priceless gift! Joey's Gift spreads a message of caring, compassion and understanding, delivering a unique gift and highly practical need expressed by families.
 
​You may donate to support Joey's Gift Respite program online here or contact Susan Moor at smoor@esnecfl.org or 386-944-7820.for more information. 

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