FaithHopeCharity

Campaign Information

2013 Annual Campaign

For Jonah’s family it seemed like it happened overnight … Jonah “turned off,”his mother, Michelle, described. He was a typical child until age 15 months, when his grandparents asked if something was wrong with Jonah’s hearing he wasn’t responding to his name. Jonah’s parents visited specialist after specialist to learn that Jonah’s hearing was fine. After numerous visits to various specialists, Jonah was eventually diagnosed with Autism.To go from a normal healthy boy to one who didn’t talk and wouldn’t respond to his name was devastating for his family.

They had a sense of helplessness, but his parents had faith. Dean and Michelle felt it was their God-given challenge to raise a child with autism along with four other children. It was important for their family to learn that Jonah didn’t think or process like they did.

“They had to learn a new definition for ‘fair’ and that Jonah needed attention in a different way than they did, and all of the children responded to this new ‘normal’ in such a positive way,” explained Michelle,“They knew Jonah needed more attention,help, guidance and, along with us as parents, his siblings gave that to him also.”

Now, Jonah has been living at FHC for almost three years, and the children ask about seeing him weekly,” said Dean. “We plan each week to bring Jonah home or for us to go to Storm Lake to see him, and the kids always look forward to the hour drive to see him. When Jonah sees the family come to visit, he is always excited too.” The family enjoys going out to eat with him – usually to McDonald’s because it’s Jonah’s favorite place to go because he likes to eat lots of ketchup on his fries.

“When we knew we needed a place for Jonah to be successful and happy, Faith,Hope & Charity was the first place we looked at and we loved it,” said Michelle.“Everything fell into place quickly and easily.This reassured us that God was helping guide our family in the right direction.”

“FHC felt like a home … from the people working there, to the children who lived there, to all of the staff in the offices,” said Dean. “Everyone was happy to help and answer all of our questions and made it feel like there was no other place that would be as good for Jonah as having him at our home.”

Since being at FHC, Jonah is now happy and is in a routine with people who truly care about him. His parents and siblings miss him at home with them, but each family member understands that Jonah needs FHC.

“We love to support FHC because we see how happy Jonah is with all of the love and care he is given there. We see the care each child at Faith, Hope & Charity receives when we visit. And if our donations can help Faith, Hope & Charity help children to be so happy, how could you say no?” said Dean.

“When we needed FHC, they were there. And when they need us to support them, we are there,” said Michelle. “They live up to their name: they give Faith to the families, Hope to the children, and as supporters, we help give the Charity.”

For Jonah’s family it seemed like life changed overnight … And FHC was there to offer help and hope. Please support FHC during our 2013 Annual Campaign. Your tax-deductible donations help FHC children with special needs like Jonah and their families.

Please join Jonah’s family in supporting Faith, Hope & Charity

Donations can be sent to Faith, Hope & Charity:

1815 West Milwaukee, P.O. Box 243

Storm Lake, Iowa  50588

OR

Click here to make a secure online donation.