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2019 "I Got You Day"

10/5/2019

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It has taken me awhile to put this together, but, as many of you know, we celebrated my son Jason's first heavenly birthday with an "I Got You Day."  I was so overwhelmed by the response from my friends and family on that day that I wanted to document it.  I struggled trying to figure out how to get through his birthday and then it came to me. Or I should say, Jason handed the idea to me. As many of you know, one of Jason’s favorite sayings was “I Got You.” He used it all the time for so many positive reasons. So, we decided to celebrate his birthdays going forward as “I Got You” days. That is, we did and will, spend the day trying to help others… trying to show them that there are people out there that “got them” and are there to help get them through their day. For the first one, my sister Sherri and my husband Gregg joined me in delivering clothes, food, personal care items and toys to Homeless Shelters, to individual homeless people we encountered on the streets, to Animal Shelters and to the Ronald Reagan Children's Hospital. We  stopped and wished Jason a happy birthday in the middle of our day and let him know that we were keeping his spirit alive. We started the day at Starbucks and ended the day at McDonalds and bought drinks and meals for those behind us.  Included below are some of the things that my friends and family did on May 6th to honor Jason and help those in their community.  I am sure I missed some of  you but know I appreciate everyone for what they did.  Also included below is a newsletter from the Food Shelter and an email from the Homeless Shelter that we received after the day.   Next year, and in the coming years, we hope to make this a much bigger event.  So please mark your calendars for May 6th, ""I Got You Day."  I am working on a logo we can use that day.  Included in this post is version 1, but we are working on additional versions.  Thank you Jason for giving me a way to both honor you and make your birthday a happy day for me going forward. Love and miss you dude… #igotyou #excusemymodertation #jasonfranklin55



Bobbie Mattiucci Arbogast ...... and daughter  Emily... Today Emily and I had a wonderful “I Got You” day (except for a few tears) celebrating the memory of Jason Franklin on his first heavenly birthday!! We served burgers to the homeless (and fed a couple homeless puppies too), took dog/cat food to the shelter where we met Fin, a silver pit/boxer mix, and paid it forward at star bucks!! For anyone not familiar with my posts about Jason, he is my cousins son who took his life at the age of 26 due to suffering brain trauma from multiple concussions received during years of playing football. He was an amazing, giving person and is sincerely loved and missed by everyone who knew him. Jan, thank you for starting the “I Got You” day! We will be honored to participate every year! Love you all!  

Hazel Bautista Specially for Jason! Thank You Jan for this wonderful idea. I Got You!! ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ (Hazel's pics from the day below.... helping the homeless..)

LuAnn Bodnovich So I had a #igotyou moment and thought of Jason! I never meant Jason, but being a mom of 4 boys and hearing his story truly made me want to pay it forward in his memory ? So I was at Costco and this young boy was checking out a few people in front of me. I heard him say ok I’ll have to run to my car! So the next person checked out and I said to the cashier “ just let me get that boys order”! 
She said, “ Aww you want to pay it forward”? ? YEAH #igotthis We saw him reenter the line to pay and I motioned for him to come on up. The cashier said, “She wants to pay for your items”! He was so appreciative! He kept on insisting to pay me and I said No I just want you to pay it forward! We had to walk out together because you have to show your receipt at the door! ?So he says it’s his first time at Costco and he didn’t realize they don’t take American Express. That’s why he had to run to the car to get his Visa card. He then held out his hand and said by the way my name is Jason! I almost started to cry, as we parted ways he had such a beautiful smile that I’ll never forget. I sat in my car and said a prayer that you continue to feel Jason’s presence! ?
By the way~ I’m Bobbies friend from Ohio?
I will continue to make #igotyou moments and think of Jason ?
Hugs from Ohio?
Mitch and Jocelyn Rose This is MItch trying to do something for Jason. 5 bouquets for 5 equals 55. Lol. Jason Franklin your Uncle Mitch misses you so much as we all do. We got you!! 
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Syndi Halzle Lyon Okay, here’s my #IGotYou
Bought groceries for this sweet mom of twins! She was shocked and so appreciative!  
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Bob Roth Thank you Jan and Gregg.
I Got You here in Atlanta! 
Happy Birthday Jason.

Paul Quinn This great. I got you tomorrow. For Jason.

Margie Gordon What a fantastic idea Jan and Greg and Sherry! I do remember you telling us that was one of Jason’s favorite sayings. I would love to do this in honor of his birthday tomorrow.! Thanks for letting us all know! ?

Cindy Corbett Hornbaker I love this. And Gary and I are in.


Jan Malone This a wonderful idea. Right before I saw this post I saw another post asking for donations for a shelter here. I know what I’ll be doing today . 
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LaRae Archibald What a perfect way to keep his giving spirit alive. I will do a random act of kindness today and send a loving thought to you and to Jason. Love you! ❤️  

LeeGay Wilk LeeGay helped an under-privileged high school student who couldn't afford her senior end-of-year trip to Universal Studios and Knotts Berry Farm.  LeeGay's sister-in-law is a teacher in a high school in Nawalka, Nevada that supports under privileged kids.

Judy McKinzie White God bless you and give you peace, Jan. I will deliver to my local shelter today.

Gina Nielson Donating to a DARE program to fight bullying and drug addiction...
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Marki Reibenspies Got a tattoo to honor Jason.
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​Sarah Hayman Gerfen I remember Jason from my first year of teaching at Sinaloa. He had an infectious smile and a way of making every class period fun. To honor Jason I will bring donations to our school's "Help the Homeless" drive. You are doing something amazing in his memory.  #igotyou

Ginger Laker So So Awesome. I Got You! I will make it my mantra for the day as I give back. Happy Birthday Jason. We miss you but will help in remembering your day paying it forward. Love and prayers Jan and Gregg. ? #IGotYou

Anne Palacios I love you guys. I will pay it forward tomorrow. I gotcha..

Nan Treul Love your idea to honor Jason! I will follow your example in NC!

Kate LaMonda Jan, you & Gregg continue to inspire with your strength, love & compassion. Count me in you honor Jason! 
??❤️#55 #igotyou

Ed Leonard Great idea. Happy Birthday, Jason. I will “Pay it forward” today.

Debbie Mills What a great idea! I will pay it foward also.

Patti Harrigan Happy Birthday Jason!! And Wilmington, NC is on board for "I Got You".......Me and Charlie look forward to participate!! ❤️

Mary Moriarty Rountree Jan, I LOVE this idea!! I GOT YOU here in Omaha and will celebrate Jason’s birthday!!

Marta Alarcon Blechen This is a wonderful idea! I love how in the mist of grieving you continue to give back and impact those around you xo ? I will definitely honor Jason with “ I got you” Happy Birthday Jason ???
Heather Ann Meister-Gibson Love this so much! The Gibson family will definitely be participating!❤️

Wendi Reibenspies He would absolutely love that u are doing this in his memory ! I GOT YOU auntie Jan! And uncle Gregg! Not a day passes without one of my family members reliving a “Jason” story which warms my heart. Jason maybe above us smirking at what we are doing but he lives here with us all every day ! ?

Julia Lopez Mora Happy Heavenly Birthday Jason Franklin. I look forward to giving the gift of “I GOT YOU” today in Jason’s honor ?????

Windi Corso-Gonzales I love this Jan, heading out now for our "I got you" moment. XOXO

DeDe Nyberg Beautiful!! That is now my favorite saying ##I got you

Merideth Putman What a wonderful idea! My sister and I and a friend will be traveling to Yosemite tomorrow and we will carry this forward in honor of Jason’s heavenly birthday. We’ve all got you!

Ruby Mellinger I am delighted to pay forward! I say Going Big in life and love very much like I Got You.
Turning Tragedy in Triumphant!
Maureen Egizi Bergenty What an honor for us to be on the receiving end of such kindness. It was a pleasure meeting Jan and Sherri today.​

Katie Jenkins Love this SO much! The Jenkins family will definitely be participating tomorrow... got the person behind us at Starbucks for the first of many today... also McKenna helped her friends at school get along by telling them we had their back ❤️
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Mary Monesi Help us celebrate Jason’s first heavenly birthday. For all my family and friends “I Got You” in daily prayers. ❤️❤️??. May God Bless you Always and remember you are never alone. ❤️❤️???. Jan Mattiucci Franklin you are an amazing and beautiful mom and friend. Jason will always be in our hearts and prayers. ??. Love the idea ?.

PICTURES FROM OUR DAY (Jan, Gregg and Sherri)...​


LETTER FROM THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY RESCUE MISSION

Dear Jan,
 
My sincerest apologies on my tardy response. Allow me to introduce myself, my name is Valentine (Val) and I am an administrative assistant here at the San Fernando Valley Rescue Mission. I get all of the emails that are sent to our info email from the website. I had the privilege to receive your email about “I Got You Day.” As you can imagine, sometimes this job can be burdensome and even discouraging. But receiving your sweet email was such a blessing. Mary is one of our incredible volunteers, she is wonderful, we are so glad you were met by her and given a warm SFVRM welcome. It was so encouraging to receive your email and read about not only what you donated but the WHY of your donation.
 
As you can imagine, we get lots of donations in and out of here, but yours was so inspiring and full of hope and promise. We are so sorry for the loss of your son. No matter what is said, I know that no words can ever sum up the weight of devastation and sorrow that comes when a mother loses a child. Not being a biological mother myself, I cannot even begin to imagine it. As an “adoptive” spiritual mom, I have walked in those shoes and know how devastatingly hard that was, but I cannot imagine how much more intense your process was. I am so moved by your strength and how you have turned grief into inspiration! Perhaps this is why your email impacted me and blessed my heart so much!
 
As is the case with the Lord, He is so faithful in the way he redeems all things and makes beauty out of ashes. It is so encouraging to see how Jason’s memory gets to live on forever! What a wonderful message you brought to our guests by letting them know that someone out there “has them.” Your donation went farther than a simple means to meeting needs. It was impactful and incredibly personal and that goes such a long way. We are so grateful that you chose to share your story, your incredible son’s thoughtfulness and compassion and the ways that you loved on so many strangers that day! It is because of people like Jason, YOU, Gregg and Sherri that the message of hope and kindness can go out into the world! We are so happy to stand with you on May 6th to celebrate “I Got You Day!” We printed your letter and picture and it sits in our break room and in our shelter. Jason (and you) will not be forgotten. May God bless you now and always! Thank you for thinking of us and for donating and thank you so much for taking the time to share all of this.             
 
All the best,
 
Val Curiel
Admin Assistant


NEWSLETTER FROM THE VALLEY FOOD BANK
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1 Comment
Megan Palacios
10/5/2019 11:47:30 am

LOVE THIS

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    Hi, I'm Jan Franklin.  I am and will always be Jason Franklin's mother.  He was everything to me.  He brought such joy to me and so many others in his short life.  I will never ever forget him.  

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