DONATIONS URGENTLY NEEDED FOR ‘JAM’ ACADEMY
A popular Brenham summer program needs to raise $50,000 by June 5th. 
The Jesus and Me (JAM) Academy is in danger of being canceled this year if they cannot raise the money within the next few weeks.
JAM Academy is a six week academic enrichment camp featuring interactive games, weekly field trips, group bible teaching, small group biblical leadership, sports, and STEP competitions. The program has been sponsored by Mission Brenham for the past 12 years.
A steering committee has been formed to address the urgent fundraising needs.
The committee has asked Champion Fellowship to provide tax exempt status, making contributions deductible for this year’s program, which runs from June 5th through July 13th.
Donations can be mailed or taken to Champion Fellowship, 1801 S. Market St., Brenham, or steering committee members. Checks should be made out to "JAM 2017".
Steering committee members include: Billy Sutherland (Pastor, Calvary Baptist Church – chair), Tim Webb (Pastor Champion Fellowship), Allen McClure (Associate Pastor, Champion Fellowship), Bill Rankin (Abiding Word Lutheran Church), Dr. Walter Jackson (BISD Superintendent of Schools), Jonathan Cortina (Programs Director, Mission Brenham), Jon Davies (Pastor, Brenham Bible Church), LaKesha Walker-Morgan (Assistant Principal Brenham High School and Mission Brenham Board Member), Debbie Forland (Children’s Director, Champion Fellowship) and Tina Roehling, (Ministry Facilitator, Champion Fellowship).
More information is available at www.missionbrenhamtx.org/programs/jam.
The “something bad” was the collapse of Mission Brenham.
Since over 150 students had already enrolled in JAM, and Mission Brenham was unable to fund that program or refund money paid by those students’ parents, an interdenominational steering committee was set up to make sure that JAM happened. A bunch of people are volunteering their time and effort to raise the funds for the program, because the ‘kids of JAM’ shouldn’t be penalized because “something bad” happened at Mission Brenham, which normally funded JAM.
The “JAM2017” effort is totally separate and apart from Mission Brenham,
You can read more about it at http://www.praybrenham.org
Well said. Thanks to all who are working triple time to make this happen! God is good all the time.
I suppose some soft hearted people will come up with the money needed, but I for one am tapped out! Taxes, house payments, Taxes, car payments, Taxes, groceries…… I would hope no one would donate to this program until there is some explanation of where their funds went, or what happened to cause such a shortfall in the amount needed, who is responsible?
From my understanding this program buys every kid that attends school supplies and backpacks for the upcoming school year, which could easily add up to $50k…..which if that’s the case spend the money on the trips and activities not hand outs! More information as to where the said money for this year’s program isn’t available would be helpful for donaters.
I was a missionary through JAM one summer. Yes, JAM provides a backpack and school supplies to the kids that attend. However, most of the school items they receive are from donations. The year I worked it, we stood outside HEB asking for donations. It was very successful. And when there was a shortfall on donations, the churches that sponsored it provided the rest of the funds. I’m not sure why they need $50K though. Because they do charge the kids who enroll. When I was there, it was $30 for 1 child, $45 for 2, and so on. And the classes filled FAST. And they didn’t pay the missionaries, well, not much anyway. They paid for 1 tank of gas a week and (if I’m remembering correctly) $5 an hour maybe. Then for the missionaries who are from out of town (I was lucky to be from Brenham) they had community members who allowed Mission Brenham to use their houses free of charge for housing the workers. With the exception of the weekly field trips (only a few out of town), I’m not sure what else would have to be paid. Maybe the public school teachers who lead the teaching aspect of the program? Or the busses? But I thought that that was covered from the enrollment fee. It really is a great program for the children who listen to the teachers.
How do you get within 3 weeks of holding a program and SUDDENLY discover that there are no funds for said program? Shouldn’t this public campaign have been started MONTHS ago?
I LOVE THIS PROGRAM MY GRANDKIDS LOOK FORWARD TO IT EACH YEAR. SO YES WHY ALL OF A SUDDEN THEY ARE PUTTING IT OUT TO THE PUBLIC OF DONATIONS AND EXSPECIALLY THAT AMOUNT AT THE LAST MINUTE. IF I HAD IT I WOULD DONATE I THINK THIS PROGRAM IS GREAT FOR OUR CHILDREN. WISH I COULD HELP BUT $50K IS ALOT OF MONEY TO COME UP WITH THAT SHORT OF TIME. THIS SHOULD OF BEEN LOOKED INTO LONG TIME AGO OR THROUGH EACH YEAR TO KEEP UP WITH FUNDS AND WHAT NEEDED TO BE DONE.
Something bad happened and the money that was supposed to fund JAM was no longer there. This is a wonderful program for students. This year, the program is in dire need of money for the students! I understand your frustration about the timing but unfortunately this is how it is. I hope our giving community can help out with what they can to make sure that JAM can go on this year!
Something bad? Like theft or what? Seems so sketchy…and definitely unfortunate because yes, this is a great program.
What kind if of ‘bad’ thing happened? Seems like there should be some answers from the people in charge instead of sticking their hands out for more help from our community. Wish kwhi would do some investigative reporting and let the community know what’s going on.
Er, perhaps making public more information about what the “something bad” was would reassure interested donors that their money is well-spent?