As we approach the anniversaries of eternal life for Jeremy and Jean, our hearts go out to the thousands of families mourning the loss of loved ones, especially all those losing their lives to COVID-19 in the recent weeks. Many are also grieving the loss of jobs, the uncertainty of the future, family and friend connections and so much more. We are all missing the loss of some type of normalcy.
We think of our own grief and how hard it will be on Saturday, April 25th to mark the 11th year without our beloved son Jeremy. For the past 10 years we have found solace by attending yearly Mass at St. Francis de Sales Parish with our Pastor Fr. David Ryan, and a community that supports us. Although this year will be a little different, Jeremy will still be remembered and missed as always, with heavy hearts, a river of tears, and loving thoughts for a life gone too soon. He will be remembered in the work that we do with his Foundation in allowing young teens an opportunity to Experience Hope.
On Tuesday, May 5th will mark 10 years, an entire decade, for our beloved son Jean –Jeremy’s older brother who passed away one year later. It has been 10 long painful years since we last heard Jean’s voice or looked into his eyes. It has been 10 years since we had meaningful conversations or enjoyed his uncanny sense of humor, and 10 years since we said our final goodbye. We miss Jean dearly and we wonder what life would look like for him had he lived.
Today we are happy to unveil our new JEREMY STOM REMEMBRANCE FOUNDATION WEBSITE. Please take a moment to click the link, take a look, and tell us what you think. This website was created with great love, passion, and dedication; with a commitment to honor and remember two beautiful sons gone too soon.
This year to commemorate Jeremy and Jean, if you would like to make a donation during this time we ask that you consider donating to the St. Vincent de Paul (SVdP) Food Pantry at St. Francis de Sales Parish. Since COVID-19 the amount of families with children who have become food insecure has increased significantly. The SVdP Food Pantry has seen its numbers double in the past five weeks. Jeremy and Jean both volunteered on many occasions at the SVdP Food Pantry. They found purpose helping others especially when it came to sharing their love for food.
Donations to SVdP can be made via USPS mail addressed to St. Francis de Sales Ministry Center 135 S. Buesching Road, Lake Zurich, IL 60047 or the Parish Online Giving site. If donating by check, please reference JSRF on your check made to St. Francis de Sales Parish or St. Vincent de Paul Society. If giving online, use this link, scroll the dropdown menu to select St. Vincent de Paul and reference JSRF in the Note field. Another way to help is by purchasing and delivering non-perishable food items and leaving them in the blue bins at the St. Francis de Sales Ministry Center or the blue bins at the front and back doors of the church.
We are not certain of the repercussion that this deadly virus will have on the mental health of our children, but rest assure when the time is right the Jeremy Stom Remembrance Foundation will be eager and ready to help as many teens as possible. If there is ever a time when our teens need to feel and Experience Hope that time is NOW! Let us not give up hope, and be grateful that our most basic human needs are being met: food on our tables, heat in our homes, clean running water, and a roof over our heads. We pray that all of you will stay healthy, keep calm, and stay connected. We truly are ALL in this together.
Thank you once again for continuing to be part of our JSRF family.
Peace, Love, Gratitude and Good Health,
Ciri, Scott & Sayra Stom