Celebrate Jessica

Jessica Martins (Sept. 13, 1990 - Oct. 25, 2009)

Please enjoy this video created to help celebrate the life of Jessica Martins -- a girl who lived with Rett Syndrome, enjoyed her life despite her wheelchair, and inspired so many with her smile alone.

On Sept. 18, 2010 Jessica Martins' family and friends gathered to celebrate her life at "An Evening on the Common."

This event was a way for everyone who loved Jessica to celebrate her life -- and it was a way for Jessica's mom, Vicky Martins Auffrey, to thank them all for the part they played in Jessica's life.

This event was something that Vicky had dreamed of doing for a long time, only in her dream, Jessica would be there as well. Unfortunately, Jessica succumbed to complications of the H1N1 virus Oct. 25, 2009.

The date Sept. 18 was not a random day of the year; it was the weekend closest to Jessica's birthday (Sept. 13).

In Vicky's dream event, loved ones would gather to wish Jessica a happy birthday, they'd celebrate her life and how far she'd come, Vicky would thank them for helping her beyond words could express. And, they would raise money to donate to the Rett Syndrome Foundation.

An Evening on the Common was an enchanting event, held under a white tent with twinkling lights, live guitar music, a bountiful auction, wonderful food, and beautiful people.

The majority of the tangible items were donated by incredibly generous friends, family, community members, and Jessica's boundless circle of love.

The event raised over $15,000. Vicky had decided from the beginning that instead of donating the money to the Rett Syndrome, it would be given to the Belchertown Playground Committee to help build Jessica's Boundless Playground.

To learn more about Jessica's Boundless Playground, please visit www.jessicasboundlessplayground.com.

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• Jessica
• Martins
• Vicky
• Auffrey
• An Evening on the Common
• Rett
• Syndrome
• Jessica's
• Boundless
• Playground
• Belchertown