Registration Now Open for 3rd Annual JB-LF 5K & Family Fun Day

Charitable event to take place on November 18, 2017, in Arlington, VA

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


CONTACT: Jennifer Myers 


ARLINGTON, VA, AUGUST 7, 2017 Registration is now open for the 3rd annual Jennifer Bush-Lawson Foundation 5K & Family Fun Day.

This year’s 5K and Family Fun Day — scheduled for Saturday, November 18, 2017, at 9:00am at the Knights of Columbus, 5115 Little Falls Road, Arlington, VA — will include a challenging, certified 5K course open to adults and youth, as well as a Family Fun Day festival complete with a kids’ dash, music, moon bounces, rock climbing walls, obstacles course, delicious food trucks, beer garden, corn hole tournament, face painting, balloon animals and more.

New for 2017, child care is available during the 5K, provided by EverWonder Camps. (Available for potty-trained kids, ages 3 and up. For our younger friends, strollers are welcome on the 5K course in the final wave.)

Proceeds from this charitable event will help provide access to high-quality pediatric and maternal healthcare services for economically vulnerable expectant mothers and their children through our primary beneficiaries: Virginia Hospital Center and Arlington Pediatric Center. Projects funded with proceeds from last year’s event include:

  • Twelve months of wellness care for 240 newborn babies at the Arlington Pediatric Center, making JB-LF the largest donor for newborn care at APC.
  • A telemedicine program for maternal health launched in partnership with Virginia Hospital Center that will help expectant mothers with high-risk pregnancies access medical care through the convenience of their smartphone or computer. These virtual appointments will provide close prenatal monitoring to augment in-person clinical visits. JB-LF’s donations support new nursing and care coordination staff in the Outpatient Clinic to manage the maternal health telemedicine program, expand Clinic hours, and provide care to expectant mothers in need.

Sponsorship opportunities are still available; companies or individuals interested in sponsoring the 5K & Family Fun Day can reach out to sponsor@jb-lf.org.

About the Jennifer Bush-Lawson Foundation Established in honor of Jennifer Lawson, who lost her life in 2014, the Jennifer Bush-Lawson Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, serves economically vulnerable mothers and infants by working to increase access to high-quality maternal and pediatric health care and support. Jennifer was a loving, dedicated mother of three, driven to advocacy after receiving high-quality care during her own complicated pregnancies. JB-LF seeks to embody her generous spirit by giving all mothers and newborns the means to thrive.

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Jennifer Bush-Lawson Foundation Names New Executive Director

JENNIFER BUSH-LAWSON FOUNDATION NAMES NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


CONTACTS
Susan B. Oliver  |  703-216-4078, susanboliver@me.com
Jennifer Myers  |  202-286-1680, jmyers@jb-lf.org


ARLINGTON, VA, JULY 17, 2017 – The Jennifer Bush-Lawson Foundation today announced that Jennifer Myers has joined as its new executive director. In this role, Myers will be responsible for managing day-to-day operations and developing long-term strategy for the foundation’s programs, fundraising efforts and expansion plans, as well as overseeing the execution of JB-LF’s mission, which seeks to increase access to quality pre- and post-natal health care and support for economically vulnerable women.

“I’m thrilled to have Jen on board, as she brings a wealth of experience in marketing and communications, event execution, business development and fundraising,” said Neal Lawson, CEO and Chair of the Jennifer Bush-Lawson Foundation. “I look forward to working with her to leverage the strong start that our first executive director gave us to further increase the impact of JB-LF.”

Myers most recently worked at the Wall Street Journal, where she was responsible for building new business and sustaining existing relationships totaling $5 million in annual revenues. Prior to that, she served as the vice president of marketing and communications at YWCA’s national headquarters, and she held a series of leadership roles in communications and public affairs at the Aspen Institute where she managed all aspects of the department’s work, from public and media relations, social media and branding to video, events and the Institute’s blog and magazine.

As an active member of the Arlington, Va., community, Myers was a member of the 2016 JB-LF 5K and Family Fun Day event committee, and she’s currently on the auction committee at McKinley Elementary. She also served a two-year term as a parent representative and board member at Faith Lutheran Preschool.

Myers holds a bachelor’s degree from the College of William & Mary and a J.D. from Georgetown University.

Jennifer Bush-Lawson Foundation Launches Mother’s Day Campaign

Jennifer Bush-Lawson Foundation Launches Mother’s Day Campaign

by Chris Teale — May 10, 2017 at 4:55 pm

A nonprofit that supports low-income mothers and their children in Arlington is encouraging local residents to donate this Mother’s Day weekend.

The Jennifer Bush-Lawson Foundation will use the donations from this year’s campaign to help those vulnerable mothers access proper care before and after they give birth.

It provides access to medical services, counseling and support for economically vulnerable mothers-to-be, newborn babies and new mothers who don’t have the means or resources to start their journey on solid footing.

The foundation is named for Jennifer Bush-Lawson, a mother of three who died in 2014 after being struck by a dump truck in front of Nottingham Elementary School while placing her children in a minivan.

Her husband Neal launched the foundation one year after her death, and has previously hosted a 5K race and festival in her memory.

JB-LF said that hundreds of mothers and babies lack proper care locally. It can be difficult balancing work and child care schedules, finding transportation, navigating health insurance and gaining information, and the foundation assists with those and more.

Already, the foundation has raised over $118,000 for Virginia Hospital Center, provided 12 months of wellness care for 240 babies, provided blood pressure cuffs for in-home monitoring, given a $5,000 grant for specialist care and provided transportation for pregnant mothers.

Members of the JB-LF board will match every dollar donated between now and May 14 up to $4,000.

As Mother’s Day approaches, it’s important to remember that mothers and babies need our support year-round. Donations will help us continue to serve economically vulnerable mothers and infants of Arlington, Virginia by giving them access to quality prenatal and postnatal healthcare and an opportunity to thrive.

Click here for more information about the Jennifer Bush-Lawson Foundation’s 2017 Mother’s Day campaign. Visit our website for information about the JB-LF or click here to sign up for our newsletter, and follow us on Facebook for updates on the work we are doing in the Arlington community.

Photos courtesy of The Jennifer Bush-Lawson Foundation.


Read the the full story and see the interview here: https://www.arlnow.com/2017/05/10/jennifer-bush-lawson-foundation-launches-mothers-day-campaign/#disqus_thread

 

Jennifer Bush-Lawson Foundation Launches Mother’s Day Campaign to Support Arlington, VA Moms and Babies

Jennifer Bush-Lawson Foundation Launches Mother’s Day Campaign to Support Arlington, VA Moms and Babies
May 8, 2017

Arlington, Va. – The Jennifer Bush-Lawson Foundation (JB-LF) is launching a Mother’s Day campaign to continue its vital work to ensure economically vulnerable mothers and babies in Arlington, Virginia have access to proper prenatal and postnatal care. The JB-LF honors the legacy of Jennifer Bush-Lawson, who believed that every mother and baby – regardless of race, color, creed, or economic status – should have an opportunity to thrive.

With hundreds of mothers and babies lacking proper prenatal and postnatal care in our area, this year’s campaign remains a vital part of achieving the Foundation’s mission. Some of the biggest challenges facing low-income mothers today include:

  • Balancing work and childcare schedules to coordinate well care appointments
  • Finding and funding transportation to and from medical appointments
  • Overcoming obstacles related to health insurance and understanding coverage
  • Gaining access to prenatal and postnatal information, resources and support, such as for breastfeeding and nutrition

We have accomplished many goals, but we still have work to do. Some of our impacts include:

  • Raising over $118,000 for Virginia Hospital Center
  • Providing 12 months of wellness care for 240 babies
  • Providing blood pressure cuffs for in-home monitoring
  • Giving a $5,000 grant for specialist care
  • Providing transportation for pregnant mothers to prenatal and postnatal appointments

As Mother’s Day approaches, it’s important to remember that mothers and babies need our support year-round. Donations will help us continue to serve economically vulnerable mothers and infants of Arlington, Virginia by giving them access to quality prenatal and postnatal healthcare and an opportunity to thrive.

Click here for more information about the Jennifer Bush-Lawson Foundation’s 2017 Mother’s Day campaign. Visit our website for information about the JB-LF or click here to sign up for our newsletter, and follow us on Facebook for updates on the work we are doing in the Arlington community.

Photos courtesy of The Jennifer Bush-Lawson Foundation.


About the Jennifer Bush-Lawson Foundation

Established in December 2014, the Jennifer Bush-Lawson Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization. Founded in the belief that every mother and every child deserve important healthcare services for a healthy start in life, the Jennifer Bush-Lawson Foundation provides access to medical services, counseling and support for economically vulnerable mothers-to-be, newborn babies and postpartum mothers who don’t have the means or resources to start their journey on solid footing. Jennifer Bush-Lawson dedicated her life to her children and to being the best mother possible. She believed that every mother – regardless of race, color, creed, or economic status – should have an opportunity to do the same.

 

A parent learns how to live after loss

neal-and-kids-runningA parent learns how to live after loss
 November 16 at 6:00 AM

On Feb. 24, 2014, 39-year-old mom of three Jennifer Bush-Lawson was hit by a truck that was passing too close to her parked minivan; at the time, she was buckling her toddler into her car seat outside her oldest child’s elementary school in Arlington, Va.This horrific event caused an entire community to catch its collective breath and catalyzed a network of friends, neighbors, family and co-workers who had all been touched by Bush-Lawson’s gentle and generous spirit. But it was her husband, Neal Lawson, suddenly a widower with three young children at the age of 41, who had to shoulder the burden of every family’s nightmare.

jen&kidsFor the past 2½ years, Lawson has been managing his own loss and grief while balancing the emotional needs and daily schedules of his growing children. When I ask Lawson how he’s been able to get through the unthinkable while still being present as a dad without just throwing his hands up and saying I quit, he laughs at my perception. “Sometimes you do just throw your hands up — but not for long.”

From a position of experience and wisdom he’d never hoped to have, Lawson shares his thoughts and advice on dealing with profound loss — whether managing your own grief or helping a friend through a particularly tough time.

Don’t be too proud to ask for help. “It sounds like common sense, but it’s harder to do than you realize,” admits Lawson. In striving to keep a sense of normalcy in his children’s lives, Lawson says he leans heavily on friends and family for everything from sports and birthday party car pools to last-minute child-care favors. And shortly after the accident, Lawson’s parents moved in with him and his children for nearly a year; his in-laws are frequent visitors.

“I can’t do everything,” says the full-time tech entrepreneur and single dad. “Even when there were two of us, we couldn’t do everything.” He prioritizes his kids’ busy schedules by continually asking himself: When do I have to be there? When would it be good to be there? And when is it okay to let someone else help me with that? “You’re actually doing better for the kids by shoring up your support system with friends, family and child care so that they can continue to live as normal a life as possible without a mom. They still need to play sports, have play dates, be reprimanded and be enriched.”

Be practical. In the wake of tragedy, everyone wants to drop off food, but there are many ways to help take daily stresses off a grieving family’s plate. “One family gave us paper goods,” remembers Lawson. “It seemed odd at the time, but we used every bit of it and were thankful when we didn’t have to worry about doing the dishes.”

Sites such as SignUpGenius or SignUp.com (formerly VolunteerSpot) help organize the supporting community and allow people to sign up for things that are most needed: play dates for kids, rides to doctor’s appointments, grocery store runs. A close friend or family member can set up and monitor the activity so that it doesn’t need to be managed by the grieving party. And when friends do drop off meals, consider requesting that they be delivered to a neighbor’s house to avoid awkward invasions of privacy or bad timing.

It’s okay to say no. Not every offer of help is actually helpful. “Everyone wants to help, but people can’t always appreciate other factors that may make their timing less than ideal,” Lawson says, graciously. “Don’t be afraid to turn down an offer if it’s not helpful at that time.” But, he adds, let that person know that you appreciate their offers of help, even if their timing isn’t spot-on.

You can also say “no, thank you” to an offer to help but suggest another way or time in which you might need assistance. For example, maybe you don’t need dinner delivered because your freezer is overflowing with lasagna, but it might really help you to have someone walk your dog while you’re at your kids’ soccer tournament.

Create something good. As a way to honor Jenn’s life and work through his own grieving process, Lawson and his family members founded the Jennifer Bush-Lawson Foundation, which helps economically vulnerable mothers and infants get access to lifesaving pre- and postnatal care.

JB-LFbaby1“This is a matter that was near and dear to Jenn’s heart,” her husband explains. All three of Bush-Lawson’s pregnancies were complicated, and all three of their children were born prematurely. “We had given to organizations that supported those needs in the past, but establishing this foundation in her name was a way to formalize the legacy of her generous spirit.”

This Saturday, Nov. 19, 2016, the foundation will host its second annual 5K and family fun day. “This is also a way for the kids to get involved with carrying on their mom’s memory. In the weeks before, we hand out fliers to neighbors on the race route, we put out yard signs, the kids ask to ‘train for Mommy’s race’ with me. It gives them opportunities to ask questions and talk about Mommy, and it’s a positive way to keep her memory alive.”

For the full story, go to the Washington Post at: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/parenting/wp/2016/11/16/a-parent-learns-how-to-live-after-loss/

 

Fred and Fiona support the JB-LF

Fred and Fiona support the JB-LF!

Fuzzy blue monsters support JB-LF! We are thrilled to announce that local authors, Renu, Natasha, and Serena Mansukhani are donating a portion of profits from their recently published children’s book to the foundation.

back-coverFred and Fiona: Fuzzy Blue Monsters with Finicky Fur is a silly story, with throwback humor. In their first book, Renu and her daughters introduce readers to twin, friendly, fuzzy monsters with well…finicky fur! What does that mean? They have more fur than they can handle. Find out what happens when they turn their fur trouble into trouble for Mommy. Hilariously illustrated by David Kcenich, this bedtime story is a great read for children and parents alike!

You can purchase on Amazon or other on-line retailers. You can also get more info on Fred and Fiona at www.facebook.com/FuzzyBlueMonsters. If you are in the DMV, and would like an autographed copy at a discount, please e mail fuzzybluemonsters@gmail.com.

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