Issue link: https://imageup.uberflip.com/i/488296
Katie Epps began "Joy Bands," a year ago when she was just 9 years old. Katie's mom Michele first contacted the director at Loma Linda University, Dina Evans, and asked they could bring her some of the bracelets to the children. She kindly obliged. "I told Katie she needed to set a goal. She wanted to make one for every child in the hospital but after finding out there were five floors with 58 beds each we decided she should make one for every child on one floor," Michele said. Katie spent many hours on her rainbow loom and made over 60 bracelets in three weeks. She decided she wanted to do more so she began to reach out to friends and soon "Joy Bands" were born. Many of the supplies are donated by family and friends. Each month, 15 to 20 girls gather at the Epps' home and spend time giggling, laughing, and singing — all the while working very hard to bring joy to the little ones in the hospital. In July, 2014, they reached out to the Ronald McDonald House where 40 to 50 siblings who stay every month. Joy Bands are provided for these kids who are also affected by childhood illness so they know that someone out there is thinking of them too. For more information, email joybandsbykatie@gmail.com or call Michele at (909) 851-8175. 14 OUR YUCAIPA | APRIL 2015 Healing Bags is an organization dedicated to bring physical and spiritual healing to the homeless. It was recently created by 19 year- old Emily Isaak. "It started after I got lost in Highland. Looking around I saw more homeless than I've ever seen in my life. Growing up in Redlands we were told to not spend time in San Bernardino because of the high crime rate. My parents, in order to protect me, put a curtain over not only the crime but the severe poverty. When I stumbled upon this area I realized how blind I've been in my bubble," she said. She set a goal to bring awareness to the problem of homelessness and to help. She purchases tote bags and healthy snack food, water bottles, socks, toothbrushes and other toiletries to distribute. "Along with these necessities, we also include Christian pamphlets or Bibles to bring spiritual healing to them as well. The goal is to remind these individuals that they are exactly that — individuals." Isaak distributes the bags on her free time with friends. "We enjoy having personal conversations with them and listening to how we can help them." She asks for help of any kind. "Remember this is someone's child, sibling and grandchild. If you are unable to physically help right now, I would love for you to share the word out about Healing Bags and pray over this project that is so dear to my heart." All donations, of goods or money, are welcome. To learn more, email healingbags@ gmail.com, find us on Facebook or go to gofundme.com/Healingbags. Emily Isaak with a Healing Bag and some of the supplies. Acts of Kindness Jennifer K. told us about a gentleman in Beaumont who fixes up bikes on his own time and gives them to kids whose families don't have the resources to purchase a bike. He gives the bikes to kids in the Yucaipa-Calimesa School District. He has given away about 30 bikes so far. To donate bikes or for more information, contact Jennifer at (909) 556-1094. Amy V. said, "Ryan Peake, a cancer survivor, trains cancer patients for free at Peake Performance in Redlands. He has made a difference in so many lives it warms my heart. He had cancer when he was 27 and now is giving back. He was told he wouldn't survive. Now he owns his own gym and helps people achieve their weight loss goals." Patricia E. said, "We had a neighbor fall and fracture her hip in the evening. She laid there all night until she was found by carpet installers the next morning. They called 911, went next door and alerted a neighbor. That neighbor alerted another neighbor. Two neighbors went with her to the ER as no family was near. Her friends stayed with her until she was operated on and placed n her permanent room. After a few days she was transferred to a re-hab. Her friends went into her home and packed clothes for her. The amazing thing was that while she was in re-hab her wonderful crew of neighbors sprung into action. They had her house cleaned from stem to stern, even the windows inside and out. She had a kitty that had a staff of four ladies taking care of her. There were nine neighbors contributing to the work being done. Now she is coming home after three weeks. Her home has been prepared for her and meals are in the fridge. Emergency devices are being purchased right and left by all the ladies that live alone on the street." Kindra C. said, "We had a busy evening last Thursday so we ran to the Del Taco on 10th and Yucaipa Boulevard before our Bible study home group. We went inside because the drive thru was busy. My husband was still in uniform (he works down at March ARB full time). We paid and then this gentleman walked up to him. He shook my husband's hand and thanked him for protecting our country and handed him money to pay for our dinner! Love those moments. So proud to be a AF wife. Our family is blessed." These are just a few stories demonstrating acts of kindness by those living in Yucaipa and the surrounding areas. Send your stories to yucaipanews@yahoo.com