Donation to ASSERT
This week we were able to donate AirPods to a raffle to benefit ASSERT in Logan, Utah. We love being able to support groups like ASSERT who do so much for the community in Logan and beyond.
We Love Sharing Our Books
Over the last month we have been trying to get our books, Juan and the Soccer Ball and Sofia The Engineer into bookstores and libraries. We continue to do so by contacting individual organizations to work with them. We have been able to get our books into 4 public libraries and 2 bookstores in Utah, but we want to do more. Let us know if you want a copy of our book or want to add it to your local library.
Upgraded and ready to rock!
After nearly three years it's time to upgrade. We recently received a new MacBook Air and iPad Air as donations to our program. If you can believe it we have been using a 17" MacBook Pro from 2008! It's been an amazing machine for years, but its amazing to see how technology has changed in only 11 years. Grateful to those who want to help us by donating to our cause and giving us the ability to help even more!
Domestic Violence Kitchen Utensil Drive
While we primarily support technology for special needs we are always excited to get to help in other ways. This week we were able to collect new kitchen items for a drive to support the South Valley Sanctuary that supports families who have experienced domestic violence. We were able to collect three baskets full of new items for the shelter. We always live to help... even when it’s outside of our scope. Now that's scope creep that someone can get behind! ;)
iPads to Spectrum Academy in Pleasant Grove, Utah
We were once again able to partner with The Spectrum Academy in Pleasant Grove Utah in order to donate four iPads to their organizations. It was a great opportunity for us to be able to once again support the fantastic work that this organization does in the community. and we are grateful to be a small part.
Donation to the Carmen B. Pingree Autism Center of Learning
We were able to partner with the Carmen B. Pingree Autism Center of Learning to donate two new iPads to their organization. They use iPads daily in each classroom, but the iPads they currently have are getting older and cant always do everything they need. We are grateful to be able to provide two new iPads which they can use to continue to develop and train their students and staff.
Utah State Huntsman Venture Forum
We were invited to participate in the USU Huntsman Venture Forum to discuss what we do with technology in the community. We loved being able to discuss the importance of technology for kids and how it can change their lives. We can't do it without your help so please consider donating so that we can continue to make an impact.
A new Fundraiser for World Autism Day 2019
We are really excited to partner with The Spectrum Academy for World Autism Day 2019. This year we have taken our hearts logo and added the Autism puzzle to it. These shirts are limited edition and all proceeds will go to our fundraising to get more iPads into The Spectrum Academy.
Its Been Released!
For a little while now we have been working on publishing a book called "Juan and the Soccer Ball" and "Sofia the Engineer". It's a story of Juan, an orphan, who grows up to be a famous soccer player and Sofia who becomes an engineer. Both find that they can use their talents to help others. Both are wonderful stories and all profits go to help the nonprofit. Its available in paperback from our online store. We would also love to give copies away to any organization who wants them.
Gold Level for GuideStar
We are very proud that we have now been certified gold from GuideStar Donors use GuideStar to explore charities and issues they want to support. We are grateful to be a part of this organization so that those who want to donate can do so with confidence knowing that a donation to us is going to help those in need.
Bronze Level Achieved for GuideStar
We are very proud that we have now been certified bronze from GuideStar who gathers, organizes, and distributes information about U.S nonprofits. Each year, millions of people use GuideStar information to make decisions about nonprofits and the work they do. Donors use GuideStar to explore charities and issues they want to support. We are grateful to be a part of this organization so that those who want to donate can do so with confidence knowing that a donation to us is going to help those in need.
Now on the Apple iBook Store
Physical copies of Juan and the Soccer Ball and Sofia the Engineer are now available and for sale. All profits go to the nonprofit and each story has a good message about finding your talents and using them to help others in need.
Now Available in the Amazon Store
Juan and the Soccer Ball and Sofia the Engineer is now available in the Kindle book store and also available in paperback form. Head over to smile.amazon.com and order the book for your Kindle device or Kindle app. You can also order a paperback version. Every dollar made goes to support the nonprofit.
iPad Minis Donated to STEM Program
This holidays we were able to partner with Nathan Packard from the United Way in Utah county. We wanted to find a way to help a STEM program and Nathan had just the group to help. They are called The Basement Creative Lab. What's cool about this group is that they use technology like iPads to teach kids how to use technology to develop skills that they can use and turn an interest into a passion. This group focuses on low income kids and girls who are underrepresented in STEM careers. We hope that our small donation can help them continue to educate and excite the community they support.
Last Minute Utah Food Bank Food Drive
We were a little anxious to do something to help this holiday season so we thought why not host a food drive. So we canvased the local community, contacted supports, put the cutest kids to work to get non-perishable cans donated. We ended up donating 394lbs of non-perishable food for people in need. What an awesome experience! The Utah Food Bank is always in need so if you want to donate you can do so below.
The Martin Jahnsen Foundation STEM Class is a GO!
We hosted our first STEM class today. The kids loved it! Sphero Mini robots were programed to go through a course made out of painters tape. We can't wait to host this class in other places around Utah. Our goal is to get kids excited about STEM primarily those in low income areas and girls. We need more females in STEM and this is our small way to try to help them get excited about the opportunity because future careers are going to be STEM focused!
The Sharing Place's iPads Delivered
After our successful GofundMe campaign we were able to buy two new iPads that The Sharing Place is going to use to help their clients and local community. We are grateful for the support and donations given by so many to help us provide this to The Sharing Place. We hope that they enjoy the new iPads and find many wonderful uses for them.
Another Successful GoFundMe Campaign!
Two months ago we set out to help The Sharing Place get two new iPads. They were using very old iPads for training, counseling and fundraising, but the age of the iPads kept from taking full advantage of the potential that technology could provide them. After a few months and with the help of many who donated we
What A Sweet Donation.
This week we received a donation from Sweet Scrolls in Logan, Utah which we in turn gave to ASSERT to use as another auction item for their upcoming raffle at the First Dam Pancake Run. Proceeds from this raffle go directly to ASSERT and we are grateful to once again be able to support their commitment to the community. We are also grateful to Sweet Scrolls for their donation. Check them out.
Raffle Raises $250 to Help Community
We decided to host a raffle as a way to get our name out there, but also to find a way to fund some of the things we want to do in the local community. We were able to raise $250 thanks to everyones support. That is money that goes right into the community as 100% of money donated goes to helping those in need. Thanks so much for your support.
Another Donation to ASSERT
We love helping ASSERT. It's an autism program in Logan, Utah which helps kids and families with autism. In August they are going to run a 5k and 10k with precedes going to their cause. We were able to donate close to $300 in raffle prizes, including AirPods and other items, for their raffle. We hope that these items can raise funds to support their cause.
Daybreak Farmers Market
We were donated a space at the local Daybreak farmers market this month. It was a great opportunity to raise awareness about what we do and money for the nonprofit. We are grateful to the Daybreak farmers market for giving us the opportunity and for the Hex Press who made a custom logo for us to sell.
School of Excellence iPad donation
We were fortunate enough to be given the opportunity to help the School of Excellence add iPads to their new initiative of tech learning for kids with autism and other learning disabilities. We are grateful to have been a small part fo their future plans for tech in the classroom and can't way to see how their students respond to it.
The Joshua School iPad Donation
This month we had the opportunity to donate iPads to the Joshua School in Denver Colorado. It was an awesome opportunity to support a small independent school whose mission it is to support kids in the community with learning disabilities including autism. These iPads are a huge tool for the students at this school, but because the are a small independent charter school funding is harder to come by. We are grateful to be able to be a small part of their mission to help those in their community. A BIG THANKS to OtterBox who provided the school with their amazingly indestructible cases.
We are Looking for Donors
We are always looking for donors to help us continue to do the work we do in the community. You can make a donation on our website, but you can also check out our webstore where we have products for sale to show your support. All proceeds from the sale of these products goes to the foundation. If you can't donate right now think about sharing what we do with your friends. Thank you for your support.
UPDATE: Spectrum Academy GoFundMe
We were able to deliver 5 iPads to the Spectrum Academy thanks to the generous donations from the community through the GoFundMe campaign. The Campaign was able to raise $1125 while The Martin Jahnsen Foundation paid the 7% GoFundMe fees and donated an additional amount needed. In total this campaign raised $1,285.41
Book Drive for the local LittleFreeLibrary.org
We had an opportunity to support a local chapter of the LittleFreeLibrary.org. We were able to donate close to 50 books that where high on this chapter's wanted list. Little groups like this can do a lot to help with literacy and confidence in a neighborhood and we love the ability to share with our neighbors. It's a great way to do a little to help in your own community.
Book Drive for Project Sleep Tight
We also had the opportunity to do a second book drive this summer for Project Sleep Tight. This organization was looking for chapter books for kids aged 9-12 and we were Abel to provide over 50 books for their project. What they do is create tote bags with things students would need to be successful including a book. It's our small way in helping the local community and other non-profits making a difference.
Utah Grizzlies Hockey Night!
This fall we are going to partner with the Utah Grizzlies at one of their games. The Grizzlies will be offering tickets at reduced rates with a portion of proceeds from ticket sales going to the Martin Jahnsen Foundation. What a great opportunity to have a fun night while supporting what we do. We can't wait!
Millie's Princess Foundation 5K Run Sponsor
From time to time we partner with organizations who do good in the community and this is why we are partnering with Millie's Princess Foundation Run. Millie's Princess Foundation takes a tragic event and turns it into something amazing that helps lots of kids and we love that. This year we raised over $500 for this organization.
GoFundMe Campaign for The Sharing Place
We are once again partnering with The Sharing Place to help them update their iPads. They use iPads within their organization to support their goals and mission, but their iPads are old, sluggish and outdated. New iPads would help them to do what they need to do and so much more. We have started a GoFundMe campaign in order to help this organization get the funds to do this. Can't wait to update you further.
iPad Event with Best Buy
The Martin Jahnsen Foundation was fortunate enough to partner with a local Best Buy store to help us award iPads to families. This was a great opportunity for the Martin Jahnsen Foundation and Best Buy to give back to the local community.
iPad Giveaway in April 2018
Every year we open an iPad application event where we donate iPads to families who could benefit from the technology to make their lives a little easier.
LED Makeover
Energy efficiency is something very important to The Martin Jahnsen Foundation and we promote this with our "LED Makeover". This campaign looks for businesses or individuals who could benefit from replacing their traditional lightbulbs with LED bulbs. It's one small way to help reduce our energy consumption while helping individuals and organizations save money.
Spectrum Academy
We were able to partner with the Spectrum Academy to donate iPads to families who attend the academy. The Spectrum Academy is the oldest and largest charter school for children with disabilities. A BIG THANKS to OtterBox who provided the school with their amazingly indestructible cases.
The Autism Support Services, Education, Research, and Training (ASSERT) program at Utah State University
We partnered with the ASSERT school in Logan Utah in order to provide the school with iPads that they can use as an alternative communication device, for receptive and expressive academic programs, for reinforcement/rewards and other assessments as well. A BIG THANKS to OtterBox who provided the school with their amazingly indestructible cases.
GoFundMe Campaign for Spectrum Academy
$1125 RAISED THE FOR SPECTRUM ACADEMY. In April we partnered with The Spectrum Academy again to try to raise funds to provide more iPads to the academy. We not only broke our goal of $1000 we beat it by $125! This helped to provide The Spectrum Academy with iPads they could use with their students in class. These extra units are going to be a huge help for students and teachers ofd The Spectrum Academy.
Ongoing Tree Planting Partnership
We have partnered with carbonfund.org to have 50 trees planted in the US. It's a small amount, but we hope that even this small contribution to our environment can help for generations to come. Just like the Martin Jahnsen Foundation which is a small non-profit, not large enough to support the needs of the community, but as those planted trees grow so will The Martin Jahnsen Foundation. Who knows what we can do once we grow. We will continue to donate to this cause from time to time.
Carbon Offset for The Martin Jahnsen Foundation
We are proud to announce that The Martin Jahnsen Foundation is offsetting it's carbon footprint with a partnership through carbonfund.org This means that we are doing our small part to make this world a little better for all.
The Martin Jahnsen Foundation is Now on Renewable Energy
The environment is important to those at The Martin Jahnsen Foundation and so we are pleased to announce that we have signed up to purchase RECs (Renewable Energy Certificates) to offset our electrical use at the foundation. This is another way that The Martin Jahnsen Foundation is committed to the environment.