For Karen McArdle, giving back is a family tradition. As the oldest daughter of the Emilson family, Karen has become one of our biggest advocates and supporters.
“My parents promoted giving our whole lives, and I’m following in their footsteps,” Karen shared.
That tradition recently led Karen and the Emilson family to make an extraordinary $1 million commitment to Jett’s Place, a gift that will help bring Jett Foundation’s vision for a one-of-a-kind retreat center and community for individuals with Duchenne muscular dystrophy to life.
But the gift didn’t begin at $1 million.
“We didn’t start off with a million; we started off with half a million,” Karen said. “Once I met Jett and his family, I doubled it. I would never take it back. It’s such a wonderful project that this has to happen.”
For Karen, meeting the people behind the vision made all the difference.
“I’ve been and am involved with a lot of nonprofits, a lot of exciting nonprofits, but once I met the Jett Foundation staff and saw the energy and their belief in the mission, I couldn’t turn away. And once I met Jett’s family, that just solidified everything.”
Jett’s Place will transform a former horse farm in Norwell into a welcoming, accessible place where people living with Duchenne can experience camp, families can find respite from the demands of 24/7 care, and people can connect with nature, animals and one another. It’s a place built specifically to meet the needs of people with Duchenne where every inch is accessible.
Karen sees it as an opportunity unlike anything else in the region.
“We should be honored to have something like this in our own backyard,” she said. “It’s offering a service that just isn’t available.”
Now, she hopes her family’s commitment inspires others to help Jett Foundation finish what it has started.
“Reach deep, come and visit, bring people over, see what we’re doing,” Karen said. “I think you’ll be amazed and proud.”
And what is Karen most looking forward to when Jett’s Place finally opens?
“I think just seeing smiles.”
This milestone gift brings us one step closer to making this essential wellness and respite facility a reality, but our work isn’t done yet. We invite donors, community leaders, and advocates to join the Emilson family in supporting this transformative project.
Learn how you can visit, partner, or contribute at jettfoundation.org/jetts-place.