With the success of the annual ‘Hoagies 4 Hope’ fundraiser, the Jenkins family says they feel the love from the community
By KRYSTAL NURSE
The Sun
Five families in the area were the recipients of donations gathered from Clearview Regional’s annual “Hoagies 4 Hope” fundraiser this year. One family, the Jenkins of Mantua, said they are blessed to have been chosen as a recipient.
The Hoagies 4 Hope fundraiser supports families who are experiencing financial hardship from serious medical ailments or setbacks. Donations were collected, via orders of a variety of hoagies, throughout January and on Super Bowl Sunday from day-of sales.
The Nieves-Perez family of Harrison Township, Clearview alumna Regina Grasso, an anonymous homeless student and the family of Brian Hannold of Kingsway Regional were also recipients this year.
J. Mason Tomlin Elementary School student Joshua Jenkins underwent heart surgery in November for a mitral valve regurgitation. Erica Spain, Josh’s mom, said the surgeons at St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children in Philadelphia tried to close the cleft valve in the right side of his heart so fluids would drain out, instead of getting backed up.
“It kind of hurt, but then at the same time I felt better,” said Jenkins.
Jenkins was diagnosed with the heart condition nearly four years ago. Spain said she took her son to doctors prior to the diagnosis who told her he had a heart murmur.
“The last doctor he went to said it sounded more than just a heart murmur, and that’s when we found out that he had the cleft valve,” she added.
Spain said with the condition, before the surgery, Jenkins would be able to do some activities, and would get tired more quickly than the other kids, thus halting his ability to play sports.
“For him to be limited, I know it was kind of driving him crazy a little bit,” she said. “Since the surgery, he’s better. You can honestly see the change in him. His spirit is more bright.”
She added his breathing is better than before, and he hasn’t needed his inhaler or nebulizer since the November surgery.
While Jenkins will need some follow-up visits for the next two years, Spain said he’s ready to get back to dancing with his friends and making them laugh.
“One of his friends was on stage dancing so he got real excited about that like ‘I know her,’” said Spain recalling when dance company Fit to Dance performed during the Hoagies 4 Hope opening ceremony.
Spain said Jenkins is often caught doing various viral dances throughout the week and is generally an active kid in sports. She said he hopes to get cleared for contact sports soon to be able to play football.
As for Jenkins, since the surgery he said his classmates have been showing him love and support and also inquired about his chest scar, which he shows them every now and then.
Following the surgery, Spain said it was rough covering the bills from it, and she was blessed and grateful for the hoagie fundraiser. She remarked how an event like this isn’t seen every day, which made her tear up.
“I couldn’t personally thank everybody, but I just want everyone to know that my family appreciates it with our whole heart,” said Spain. “It’s hard, but we have the support of our community.”
