❤ Mark & Amy Blaufuss – DONORS ❤

“Another friend recommended that the Jakubiks look into an organization called Ele’s Place Ann Arbor. The family took the courageous step to reach out and begin their journey through their grief.

“As days and weeks passed, we started to notice that the Jakubik family grew closer, united in supporting each other through the peer grief support programs that Ele’s Place Ann Arbor provided. We were blown away that they were receiving this support free of charge and had the ability to be with others who were experiencing the same or similar loss.

“We joyfully became financial supporters of the Ann Arbor branch of Ele’s Place after being so moved by the real life love and support they had provided to the Jakubiks. We fell deeper in love with the mission and expanded our support the organization with time and financial resources by serving on Capital Campaign committee for the beautiful healing center in Ann Arbor. We continue to support Ele’s Place Ann Arbor through our time and financial resources, helping to drive this wonderful organization into the future through participation on the Ele’s Place Finance Committee and Governing Board.

“The world, and in particular the Jakubik’s, are in a better place because of Ele’s Place Ann Arbor, and the vision of Betsy and Woody Stover. We are blessed to be part of this incredible organization.” ❤

Mark & Amy Blaufuss, THANK YOU for sharing your heart story and connection during the month of February! We are grateful for YOU – YOU fill the HEART of Ele’s Place Ann Arbor. From the bottom of our hearts, we appreciate your generous MATCH GIFT during our February 2023 Appeal – You Heal Grieving Hearts!! Blessings to both of you. ❤

❤ Mark & Amy Blaufuss – DONORS ❤

“My wife and I moved to Plymouth Township in 2002 to a neighborhood with a lot of young families. We brought our two-year-old son and soon to be daughter to the new house in hopes of meeting other parents with kids of similar age. A few years into our new journey, we ran into a friend at a soccer game who we hadn’t seen in years – Matt Jakubik. His son Luke was on the same soccer team and as irony would have it, they were looking to relocate to a neighborhood with more young families.

“They were able to identify another family who wanted to move to their neighborhood out of ours. The Jakubiks became new neighbors and we quickly began spending a lot of time together, including sports, traveling and just being close friends. We would frequently coordinate meeting at the neighborhood pool and our kids would love to play together. We both built a close relationship with their entire family – Matt, Beth, Luke, Mia and Phoebe.

“A few years later, my wife and I were spending a weekend at a friend’s cottage in Northern Michigan and we received “the call”. A friend phoned us to let us know that a tragic accident had occurred with the Jakubik’s – their daughter Phoebe had accidentally drowned in our neighborhood pool. We were instantly broken over the death of such a little angel. Mark in particular was crushed as he had built a strong relationship with Phoebe who was just shy of her 4th birthday.

“When we returned, the neighbors met with the Jakubiks to show their support and love to help them through this horrible tragedy that no one would wish on their worst enemy. However, we didn’t know what to say – no words of comfort or support could heal their broken hearts. We felt like we were failing our loved friends but in reality, we weren’t equipped to handle the loss of a child.”

Watch for the rest of Mark & Amy’s “HEART story” later today! ❤