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Gabby Petito’s Moms on “Surviving” Mother’s Day

Gabby Petito’s Moms on “Surviving” Mother’s Day

by JHFHBrightSighted | May 8, 2025 | Blog, News, Podcast

Gabby Petito’s name is known around the world—but behind the headlines is a family still living with unimaginable grief. In this powerful conversation, Heather sits down with Gabby’s mother and stepmother to talk about what life has been like without her: the...

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Jake’s Help From Heaven
P.O. Box 809
Saratoga Springs, NY, 12866

(518) 951-0009

info@jakeshelpfromheaven.org

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Jake's Help From Heaven

jakeshelp

🌟Creating opportunities for those with disabilities to thrive
❤️Help us help others

Kelly is another OG & one of @heathersstraughter ‘s oldest Saratoga friends. And another who not only knew Jake but Heather trusted to stay with Jake! ❤️

She has always been there for Heather and always a part of JHFH. She is a friend that shows up when needed without question and we love her 🫂

“I would say that I am in total awe of the Straughter family. I was lucky to know Jakey when he was in his mama’s arms. I can still see home sitting in his stroller under a tree in my backyard. He must be so very proud of his family and how they turned his strengths and weaknesses into helping others like him. And also I hope he’s eating lots of pizza in heaven.“ — Kelly
Trish and her entire family are OG “Friends of J Trish and her entire family are OG “Friends of JHFH” ❤️ She was one of Heather’s first friends when she moved to Boston and someone who knew Jakey, before he got sick. She spent a lot of time with him the day before our lives changed with that first seizure.

I don’t think the Wildermuth family ever missed a Fun Day or Cantina Day and we can always count on them to support our work and spread the word. 

We love you guys! 🫂

“JHFH has been the definition of love from day one. It was created from a powerful love that transcended unthinkable tragedy. It grew because of the love that our community has for Jake and the Straughters. It will continue to grow because there are so many people willing and able to spread that love to others in need. Our family was blessed to know Jakey and have forever been changed because of him and the love he has inspired.” — Trish Wildermuth
One thing we love receiving are photos of our JHFH One thing we love receiving are photos of our JHFH kids thriving after receiving their treatment, equipment or other support we help to provide. Jack’s dad recently shared these photos with us after we helped the family with medical travel reimbursement! The first photo is Jack in the hospital is post cell transplant and the baskeball picture is a few weeks ago and we love to see that big smile!! 🫶

“I wanted to reach out to thank you and the Jake’s Help from Heaven team for providing us with the grant. It is extremely helpful to us as we continue to navigate Jack’s appointments in Boston. We really appreciate the support! Please relay our gratitude to the rest of the team and the Board. All the best from our family!” — Jack’s dad
The Brynczka ladies have been day 1 friends of Jak The Brynczka ladies have been day 1 friends of Jake and JHFH. Since she was about 3 years old, Lilah considered Jake among her best friends. And Sharon is one of mine - always willing to jump in to save the day (literally - listen to her segment on APOY) both when Jake was here and with the foundation after! 

We love you both, @lilahbrynczka & @sharonblld ❤️
In honor of Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month our fri In honor of Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month our friends @thomaspestservices reached out to partner with us to raise awareness all month long! 💚 

TPS owners, Bill & Sarah’s daughter was diagnosed with CP when she was 18, so this cause is close to their heart and their business will be matching ALL donations to JHFH up to $2,000 to continue raising awareness! 

Make a donation today and help us help others 🫶🫶
Sammy’s smile says it all & her family wrote us Sammy’s smile says it all &  her family wrote us the sweetest thank you note we wanted to share ❤️ 

“Dear Everyone at Jake’s Help from Heaven,

On behalf of Sammy and our entire family, I want to express our deepest gratitude for the grant that made Sammy’s Baja Trike possible. Seeing her face light up when she saw her bike for the very first time was absolutely priceless.

The bike is perfect for her—not only in function but in the vibrant color that suits her personality so well. This trike is more than just a means of mobility for Sammy; it’s a symbol of independence and joy.

Thank you for the incredible work you do to support families like ours. You have truly made a difference in Sammy’s life, and we couldn’t be more thankful. Please find attached a picture of Sammy seeing her trike for the very first time—it captures how much this means to her!

With heartfelt appreciation,
The Moore Family”
Allie is the type of friend who always keeps peopl Allie is the type of friend who always keeps people and her causes front of mind.  She is always available to help on a committee, join a delivery, or share the work we do with potential donors.  Thank you, Allie,  for all you do for JHFH! ❤️

“I love Jake’s Help From Heaven because every dollar donated goes directly to recipients; no high expenses or board salaries, just pure impact! It’s rare to find an organization where 100% of contributions stay local, truly making a difference in the community.“
Last week’s episode of @aplaceofyespodcast was f Last week’s episode of @aplaceofyespodcast was for the #raremoms and it was so great to have the episode come from one of our deliveries earlier this year ❤️ The work we do often intertwines with the conversations of the podcast, but this one was extra special for the JHFH family. Thank you, Jessica for coming on the podcast and thank you @adirondacktrust & @amsureins for sponsoring this episode and always supporting our work!
Mary Gavin & Jim Lavigne are both great friends of Mary Gavin & Jim Lavigne are both great friends of JHFH! They have supported and attended every event without hesitation, and we couldn’t be more grateful 🥹 

Jim served on our Board of Directors for many years and was a dedicated and valuable member. He took his role so seriously that no current meeting goes by where we wouldn’t wonder what Jim would say!

Mary served on the Annual Family Fun Day planning committee, always offered ideas, and was willing to jump in at any time to do anything. She is also Heather’s go to person for all questions and advice! 

JHFH would NOT be what it is without either of them. We love you guys @jim__lavigne @marygavin1 ❤️❤️
The energy we’re bringing into the week 🎉We w The energy we’re bringing into the week 🎉We were so honored to be represented during cause day at South Glens Falls High School last week!! We are so grateful for everyone who keeps Jake’s spirit alive and shares our work with others ❤️
@brians_70 and @heathersstraughter delivered a Fir @brians_70 and @heathersstraughter delivered a Firefly Go-To seat to Luna and it was so nice visiting with her and her family!!

They had this chair previously in a smaller size and are so happy to have it in a size that once again fits. This seat allows Luna to sit anywhere with good support, even her little motorized car! 

We love getting to support families and kids like Luna who are out growing their equipment that helps them thrive and be involved in activities with their peers and family 💕
Steph Collins is both a friend and supporter of JH Steph Collins is both a friend and supporter of JHFH. She is the kind of person who always says yes - whether it is selling raffle tickets, recording testimonials, supporting new initiatives, or joining me on deliveries ❤️❤️

We are also grateful for the continued support of @dacollinscompanies 

Thank you, Steph and Dave,  for all you do for us! 

“Contributions to Jake’s Help From Heaven directly impact the daily lives of members of our community and their families. Not only by supplying critical equipment to assist specific requests but by allowing individuals to participate on a level they were not able to before. I have been lucky to have the opportunity to see how these fulfilled requests, which may seem like simple additions, have a much deeper impact, truly enriching lives in meaningful ways.  Hearing an elementary school student with limited language make a potty joke on an updated communication app on his iPad, or listening to a mom explain through tears how happy she is to have her whole family around the dinner table brings new light to the importance and true need for this organization in our community. Jake’s Help From Heaven is a family of community members helping families in our community and I am so honored to be a supporter.” — @stephanie.d.collins
We have been lucky enough to work with the Menges We have been lucky enough to work with the Menges family for many years!! Lincoln‘s mom learned of a device @goallyapps and was hoping that it would help him feel a little bit more organized and scheduled and we’re optimistic it’ll work for him 🫶🫶
Todd Shimkus, President of the Saratoga County Cha Todd Shimkus, President of the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce has always been a great supporter of Jake’s Help From Heaven for as long as we can remember. Whether it was participating in Saratoga’s Finest Fillies & Colts event, attending our fundraisers or just helping spread the word, he is a friend we can always count on — thank you Todd! ❤️

“I love Jake’s Help from Heaven because it is a striking example of resiliency. Two amazing parents who tragically lost their beloved son have created a nonprofit organization with a positive, impactful legacy of kindness, in Jake’s name. The work you and your volunteers do to purchase, build, and deliver specific requested items of need to local families combines the gift of time, talent, and treasure in a way that is unique and special.”
Julie is my JHFH delivery partner in crime. We lo Julie is my JHFH delivery partner in crime.  We love meeting families and delivering the goods. And sometimes we just can’t stop laughing! 😂😂
Happy Valentines Day from us at JHFH ❤️ We lov Happy Valentines Day from us at JHFH ❤️ We love getting to be part of the reason so many kids (and adults!) get to smile this big! 

We couldn’t do the work we do without all of the support from YOU and your donations! Whether you join us for deliveries, celebrate @cantinasaratoga every year with us, listen to @aplaceofyespodcast or donate directly to JHFH, THANK YOU!! 

Continue helping us help others and consider making a donation — 100% of your donations go directly to our families 🫶
The Smith’s have been friends of JHFH since our The Smith’s have been friends of JHFH since our very first Family Fun Day. “We believe in JHFH’s mission of providing equipment and services to improve the lives of people living with difficulties, making their lives and their family’s lives more joyful. Even though we didn’t know Jake, his legacy has been a part of our family since that first JHFH Family Fun Day. When we see cardinals in our yard we think of Jake and think he is checking up on the boys who wear his shirts all the time! JHFH is making a difference in this world and we are honored to be a small part of it! ❤️”

Thank you, Smith family, for all of your support ! From always attending our events, volunteering to help and wearing our fun day T-shirts we know we can count on you!
We have worked with Maya since 2012 and went to se We have worked with Maya since 2012 and went to see her at school at the Center for Disabilities. We brought her a bigger bath chair to make life a little easier and safer for both Mom and Maya! 

Thank you, Maya for brightening up our day with your smile ❤️
Susan has been a friend of JHFH since the very beg Susan has been a friend of JHFH since the very beginning. Susan is always there for anything we need - whether it is coming on a delivery, holding a fundraiser, making cotton candy - she never says no!  She truly comes from A Place of Yes ❤️

Thank you Susan for all you do! 
:
“Supporting Jake’s Help From Heaven has been a deeply personal journey. I met Jake in the summer of 2010 while Heather and Brian were on their way to the track, just months before his sudden and heartbreaking passing. My friendship with Heather, forged during early YMCA workouts, grew as I witnessed her and Brian channel their devastating loss into a mission of hope for families of special needs children.

Since the beginning, I’ve supported Jake’s through donations, fundraisers, volunteering, and even stepping in as secretary for board meetings—all out of love for Heather and Brian and because every penny donated goes directly to families in need. Jake’s legacy inspires me, and I’m honored to be part of it.” - @susanhals
Last week we met Eliana and her family. They are a Last week we met Eliana and her family. They are a new JHFH family and we brought Eliana an iPad and Proloquo2go which is an app that allows her to communicate and provides a voice that can be customized to each user. 🫶🫶

It was a true pleasure to meet the family and to be greeted by her beautiful smile! 😃
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