JSA Gives Back on #GivingTuesday

As part of the JSA culture, we love to give back in any way we can! Our events team recently assisted in planning the 6th Annual Uniti Fiber Golf Tournament in New Orleans, LA. The tournament proceeds benefit the Mighty Oakes Heart Foundation, (MOHF) which was founded in honor of Oakes Ortyl, the son of a Uniti Fiber executive. Baby Oakes was born in March 2011 with a congenital heart defect which required two open-heart surgeries, several catheterization procedures, a double lung transplant (at just 4 months old) and several other treatments such as chemotherapy and blood transfusions as we tried to get his body to accept his new lungs.  He earned his name “Mighty Oakes” while going through all of these procedures. Although his passion, will to live and ability to inspire never gave out, his body finally succumbed in June 2012. 

Greg and his wife, Becky were inspired to start MOHF during the 15 months that Oakes lived at St. Louis Children’s Hospital. They saw first hand how many families were going through similar situations, but lacked the financial support to be at their children’s bedside as often as they wanted. MOHF aims to take away some of that financial hardship during these difficult times. MOHF has helped provide financial and emotional support to dozens and dozens of families since it's founding in 2011.

The golf tournament raised over $96,000 this year, which will all go to support families of children battling congenital heart defects financially and emotionally. JSA is beyond honored and proud to play a small role in helping these families.

Grab some tissues and take a few minutes to watch the video below about a family of a Uniti Fiber employee that MOHF has directly impacted. We invite you to fill your heart today with a little more love and donate to the Mighty Oakes Heart Foundation by clicking HERE. Let's help the families of these little warriors #BeMighty!