When someone goes out of their way to express gratitude, amazing things can happen.
Thanking someone for simply holding open a door is an automatic response for most polite people. However, only saying “Thank you” may feel inadequate when a group of people go out of their way to help you in your time of need.
Daniel Jaramillo and his wife Jacquenette experienced that, and the results have grown into something very special. They responded to a family tragedy by giving thanks to those who helped them during some dark times and creating a fund to help other families cope with similar losses.
The couple’s son Daniel was born twelve weeks prematurely and spent 14 months at Children's Hospital fighting for his life. His parents nicknamed him “The Lion” because of his fighting spirit. When little Daniel went to be with the Lord at that early age, his parents reflected on the outpouring of love and support they had received from friends, family, and the wonderful staff at Children’s Hospital. They planned a picnic in Broomfield’s Midway Park to thank everyone who had been a part of Daniel and the family’s struggle. “We planned for 50 people to show up, and 300 attended. It was a perfect example of Broomfield’s sense of community and the healing power of giving thanks,” explains Mr. Jaramillo.
Daniel “The Lion” Fund was created, and the following year, 500 people attended the picnic to benefit families who have lost a child or are struggling with a critical childhood illness. With help from local donations, the Daniel “The Lion” Day annual picnic, scheduled on the weekend preceding Labor Day weekend, is now in its tenth year and sees upwards of 1,000 people celebrate the community and provide help to those in need. The theme, “Healing comes from serving others,” is the event’s foundation and the fund itself.
The picnic is fun for the entire family, and even people enjoying Midway Park for some other reason often find themselves drawn into the festivities, including interacting with “Sonny and Friends,” the fund’s loving and cuddly animal characters. No fundraising speeches or banners listing corporate sponsors are at the event. There isn’t even a jar available for donations at the picnic because it’s all about providing a healing space for those who need it and giving thanks to those who provide it.
Christian Walter, a member of Broomfield’s Guys Who Give organization, heard of Daniel “The Lion” Fund’s impact on the Broomfield community and invited the founder to attend the quarterly Guys Who Give meeting at Wonderland Brewing. At each meeting, the Guys choose a Broomfield-based charity to receive their donation. Three charities are pulled from the hat containing all the nominees, and the nominating member gives the merits of the charity. Christian explained why he believed Daniel “The Lion” Fund deserved the donation, and after a ballot vote of the entire group, nearly all of them agreed!
“When they announced the winner, I was shocked and overwhelmed,” says Daniel. “Just being introduced to all those caring individuals who make up the group was heartwarming and inspiring. To be lucky enough to get our name pulled from the hat, and then to be voted as the recipient of the donation—wow, it was such a blessing!" Daniel emotionally explains.
The $10,100 donation was more than double the usual amount awarded. That kind of money makes a huge impact on a small “kitchen table” charity like theirs, as Daniel describes it. The four Sonny and Friends costumes, tired and worn out from so many appearances over the years, were the first things replaced with the money. Activity items such as books and games were purchased to give recipient families a chance to spend some happy times together while they are suffering through the loss or critical illness of a child. “You might be surprised what kind of impact something as simple as that can have on a family during those emotional and stressful times,” instructs Daniel.
“I have personally experienced Broomfield’s tremendous sense of community and giving nature. I can’t think of a better place to live and raise a family,” beams Daniel.
"It was a perfect example of Broomfield’s sense of community and the healing power of giving thanks.”