Donor Stories: JaM Foundation
Anthoula Katsimatides (above right in white sweater, with other attendees at an Autism Speaks fundraiser) is the co-founder and president of the Johnny and Mikey Katsimatides Foundation for Life. The foundation is named for and inspired by the tragic loss of two brothers: Mike Katsimatides in May 1999, and John Katsimatides who died in the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. The JaM for Life Foundation was created to perpetuate John and Mike's legacy and honor the lives of these two special individuals by promoting a diverse set of charitable endeavors. Last year, the JaM for Life Foundation raised $10,000 for Autism Speaks.
In May 1999, my brother Michael died tragically at the age of 26. Two years later, my family's grief and loss were compounded when my older brother John died at the age of 31 in the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.
It is hard to describe the utter heartbreak of losing two brothers in a span of two years, in two different yet equally senseless tragedies. Both of my brothers were such generous souls, really good human beings. They always felt it was important to help the underdog, and they went out of their way to do so. They were also so cool, so fun-loving, so passionate about life - the emptiness without them was almost too much to bear.
Despite my family's bottomless grief, we had an overwhelming feeling that we needed to do more than grieve their deaths. Everyone agreed that the best way to honor John and Michael's lives and their generous and loving spirits was to do something that would affirm the importance of life. So in February 2002, my mom, dad, my brother George and I along with the help of family and friends, launched the Johnny and Mikey Katsimatides for Life Foundation, an IRS-approved 501(c)(3) organization.
JaM's overwhelming mission is to raise money to help children, because we believe that children are an affirmation of life. Every year since 2002, JaM has organized a fundraiser that brings together family members and friends to honor the memories of John and Mike and to raise money for a variety of different charities. In most cases, we choose small organizations, where the money will go a long way. We have donated to the Greek Children's Fund, the Samaritans of New York, Young Adults with Special Abilities, the Louis V. DiGregorio Memorial Foundation, the Stanley Sclavos Fund, the Friends of George Pappas, the Children's Blood Foundation, and The Lymphoma Society.
Last year, a friend of mine who has a son with autism suggested we consider donating to Autism Speaks, which at the time was just starting out. I had started to learn about autism several years ago, when I had worked as the Assistant for Community Affairs for Governor Pataki and had been in touch with groups advocating for children with autism. At the time, I had no idea what autism was, but I quickly became aware of the alarming statistics, and also, through my friend, how devastating the disorder was. We hoped that our donation could make a difference.
On May 13, 2005, JaM threw a cocktail party fundraiser at the Renaissance of Astoria in Queens, New York, and raised $10,000 for Autism Speaks. During the event, our guests watched a video about autism, and I could see how shocked they were to learn the statistics: particularly, that twelve years ago, 1 in 10,000 was diagnosed with autism, while today, that number is a shocking 1 in 166. Everyone left with the feeling that they learned something new, that they now had a new awareness about the autism epidemic. So, I was pleased that not only were we able to raise money for such an important cause, but that we were able to promote awareness among our 250 guests as well.
For more information about the Johnny and Mikey Katsimatides Foundation for Life, visit www.JAMFoundation.org.
Click here to donate to Autism Speaks.
In May 1999, my brother Michael died tragically at the age of 26. Two years later, my family's grief and loss were compounded when my older brother John died at the age of 31 in the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.
It is hard to describe the utter heartbreak of losing two brothers in a span of two years, in two different yet equally senseless tragedies. Both of my brothers were such generous souls, really good human beings. They always felt it was important to help the underdog, and they went out of their way to do so. They were also so cool, so fun-loving, so passionate about life - the emptiness without them was almost too much to bear.
Despite my family's bottomless grief, we had an overwhelming feeling that we needed to do more than grieve their deaths. Everyone agreed that the best way to honor John and Michael's lives and their generous and loving spirits was to do something that would affirm the importance of life. So in February 2002, my mom, dad, my brother George and I along with the help of family and friends, launched the Johnny and Mikey Katsimatides for Life Foundation, an IRS-approved 501(c)(3) organization.
JaM's overwhelming mission is to raise money to help children, because we believe that children are an affirmation of life. Every year since 2002, JaM has organized a fundraiser that brings together family members and friends to honor the memories of John and Mike and to raise money for a variety of different charities. In most cases, we choose small organizations, where the money will go a long way. We have donated to the Greek Children's Fund, the Samaritans of New York, Young Adults with Special Abilities, the Louis V. DiGregorio Memorial Foundation, the Stanley Sclavos Fund, the Friends of George Pappas, the Children's Blood Foundation, and The Lymphoma Society.
Last year, a friend of mine who has a son with autism suggested we consider donating to Autism Speaks, which at the time was just starting out. I had started to learn about autism several years ago, when I had worked as the Assistant for Community Affairs for Governor Pataki and had been in touch with groups advocating for children with autism. At the time, I had no idea what autism was, but I quickly became aware of the alarming statistics, and also, through my friend, how devastating the disorder was. We hoped that our donation could make a difference.
On May 13, 2005, JaM threw a cocktail party fundraiser at the Renaissance of Astoria in Queens, New York, and raised $10,000 for Autism Speaks. During the event, our guests watched a video about autism, and I could see how shocked they were to learn the statistics: particularly, that twelve years ago, 1 in 10,000 was diagnosed with autism, while today, that number is a shocking 1 in 166. Everyone left with the feeling that they learned something new, that they now had a new awareness about the autism epidemic. So, I was pleased that not only were we able to raise money for such an important cause, but that we were able to promote awareness among our 250 guests as well.
For more information about the Johnny and Mikey Katsimatides Foundation for Life, visit www.JAMFoundation.org.
Click here to donate to Autism Speaks.
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