Joe and I feel strongly about supporting our community throughout the year but even more so during the holidays. We do this by picking a charity each December to focus our efforts and this year we chose, “Friends of Kids with Cancer”.
This organization is devoted to enriching the daily lives of children undergoing treatment for, and survivors of cancer and blood-related diseases. Their mission is to be an advocate for these special kids and provide them and their families with the educational, emotional and recreational support needed as a result of the long hours of chemotherapy, illness and isolation.
Friends of Kids with Cancer has a proud 25-year history exclusively in St. Louis of helping kids with cancer…be kids. Jill Turec, Developmental Specialist at Mercy Clinic Children’s Cancer and Hematology Center, along with concerned parents, Molly Henry and Susie Snowden, saw the great need to enrich the daily lives and divert the attention of the patients outside of the medical treatments. These three women shared a dream that every child with cancer would experience as much fun, laughter, support and normalcy as possible. It was this idea that was the birth of Friends of Kids with Cancer. Starting in the office of Dr. Bob Bergamini in 1992, “The Toy Closet”, was launched to brighten the long gloomy and painful days spent in the treatment center.
Friends has been driven to meet the ever-evolving needs of not only the patients but their entire families. Everything they do is suggested by medical professionals and patient families. Dr. Bob’s philosophy is to “treat the needs of the entire child…not only the cancer”. Friends is such an important and unique charity because it gives back something that medicine can’t. The Educational, Emotional and Recreational programs build self-esteem and improve the quality of life to assure that the patients and their families remain positive, focused and prepared to meet their future needs.
JJ Kokesh and Son is working towards filling up “The Toy Closet” this Christmas… so that each child can choose something that provides the distraction from treatment and brings much needed joy in their lives. We are collecting:
-Toys for all ages -Legos – Barbies, babydolls
-crafts/craft kits -gift certificates for teenagers
-Art supplies -comics and coloring books
Every year, we do our best to encourage our customers,suppliers and employees to GIVE… and every single year, we are blown away by the incredible outpouring of love and generous support that we receive. We cannot begin to express our humble gratitude to all who help make this possible. Please think about how you may help us to make Christmas 2018 the most successful year ever!
Last year Officer Mike Flamion was shot while on duty at a routine traffic stop, leaving him paralyzed for the rest of his life. Joe and I decided that we wanted to help Officer Flamion in some way. It wasn’t until The Gary Sinise Foundation announced that they were building a smart home for Officer Flamion and his wife that we knew what we could do. We immediately applied to donate the plumbing in the home. Out of a number of other great companies, who also wanted to donate their time, we were lucky to have been chosen to complete the work.
Being part of this build has really been amazing, from learning about what Officer Flamion has been through in the last year, to getting to work with so many wonderful companies and individuals who have given their time and energy to make this home a reality.
When we started this project it began as giving back to Office Flamion but now half way through I have begun to realize how much we have also gotten out of it. At every turn we have been inspired by our subcontractors, suppliers, employees, and customers who have come forward to ask how they can help. Many have donated materials, money, and time. We are part of a community of people who have stepped up to give back and it makes me really happy and proud to be a part of Ballwin.
One way that I have continued to urge people to give is by contributing to the “Buy a Brick” Program. An American flag proudly soars in front of every home The Gary Sinise Foundation builds. The bricks that form the flagpole base are customizable with your message of gratitude. Together, these bricks form a lasting tribute to the sacrifices our heroes have made. You can either print the form below or go to www.garysinisefoundation.org/blog/article/buy-brick to fill out the form.
Our newest plumber Billy Hanning Jr. took time off this past week to fly to Nova Scotia to play for the U.S. National Sled Hockey Team. The U.S. National Sled Hockey Team defeated Canada, 3-2, to win the 2016 World Sled Hockey Challenge, making this the second consecutive year!
We are beyond proud of Billy and how hard he works on and off the ice. While he said he wouldn’t actually wear the gold medal while on jobs, if he comes to your home make sure you congratulate him!
His stats are:
USA Hockey
As a member of the U.S. National Sled Hockey Team, has played in one International Paralympic Committee Sled Hockey World Championship (gold – 2015) and two World Sled Hockey Challenge tournaments (first – 2015, 2016)
Was called up to the U.S. National Sled Hockey Team for the 2012 World Sled Hockey Challenge (first place)
Three-time U.S. National Developmental Sled Hockey Team member (2012-14)
For the second year in a row J.J. Kokesh and Son has teamed up with Epworth Children and Family Services to adopt homeless youth for Christmas. We have adopted three youth so far, two girls and a boy and our hope is to beat last year’s record of 5!
Epworth Children and Family Services is an amazing organization that helps hundreds of children each year, be they homeless, in foster care, or just in need extra support from caring adults at their school or drop in centers. I was lucky enough to work with this organization as a Case Manager before I joined my husband Joe to run J.J. Kokesh and Son. I truly believe in the work they do and the need to help support all children.
Donating, volunteering, and generally being participatory in our community is very important to us here at J.J. Kokesh and Son. I have been overwhelmed by our employee’s generosity, it was through their donations and our match that we were able to adopt 5 children last year. When we give back, not only do we help others but we gain so much in return.
Below is a list of our first three youth’s wishes. If you would like to donate with us this year, contact us at 636-391-1233 or email us at contact@kokeshplumbing.com.
Thank you in advance!
Everyone at JJ Kokesh and Son wishes you a Very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!
The Day after Thanksgiving is one of the busiest of the year for us at J.J. Kokesh and Son. Help avoid having to call us this year by following these easy steps.
The Disposer:
Run the disposer with cold water the day before to make sure it is clear.
Put only small pieces of food into the disposer.
Do Not use the disposer for fats, oils, bones, vegetable peels, coffee grounds, and egg shells.
If you do get a clog, don’t use chemical drain cleaners as they are dangerous to have around food and can damage your home’s pipes.
Toilets:
If you are hosting this year, try switching your toilet paper to single ply.
Keep a trash can visible.
Remember many bathroom products that say flushable are not!
Showers/Baths:
Make sure that you have strainers for all of the tub and shower drains.
Allow for at least a half an hour between showers to allow for proper drainage.
Also you need to eat lots of pumpkin pie because this helps everything!
I hope that following these simple tips will help keep your Thanksgiving stress free – from plumbing issues at least. If you do find yourself having a plumbing emergency, don’t worry we are on call 24 hours a day! Just give us a call and we will get you taken care of.
From everyone here at J. J. Kokesh and Son we hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving filled with delicious food, friends, and family!
When ever I find a great new product, my first thought is our customers, which is why I am highlighting the Woodford 22, a hot and cold water outside faucet. Woodford is already our outside faucet of choice, they are virtually maintenance free and won’t freeze or burst in subzero temperatures. With the added feature of hot water outside, the Woodford 22 becomes a must have amenity!
Having an adjustable hot and cold water faucet within easy reach of your dirtiest projects make them a breeze. Any spring cleaning from windows, to garages, to siding are finished that much faster with hot water blasting out of your hose.
Summer fun with the kids won’t end in blue lips and fingers when you can add warm water with the turn of a handle to your sprinklers and pools. Washing pets outside will be faster and easier with your hot and cold outside hose. I’ve already asked Joe to install one to help make washing Rosie our new puppy, outside that much simpler.
Making all of your outside projects one step easier is as simple as calling the shop at 636-391-1233 to set up your appointment today!
really been amazing, from learning about what Officer Flamion has been through in the last year, to getting to work with so many wonderful companies and individuals who have given their time and energy to make this home a reality.
proud to be a part of Ballwin.
