About H.A.N.D.S. UP
Many severely disabled Americans cannot afford essential supplies & equipment that is necessary to live and function day to day.
Mission Statement:
H.A.N.D.S. U.P. Charity is a non-profit organization that helps people with severe disabilities acquire necessary medical supplies and equipment not covered by insurance, Medicare or Medicaid.
INTRODUCTION:
I am Jay Lawrence, founder and CEO of H.A.N.D.S. U.P. Charity (EIN 26-4133295). In the early morning hours of August 3rd, 1996, I fell asleep while driving home from a night out with friends. I woke up in the hospital and was told I would never be able to move from the neck down. At that moment, I rose up my right arm and although I couldn't speak, everyone in the room understood that I wasn't accepting that prognosis. While MANY in my situation may have decided at that moment to just give up, it's just not in my nature.
Since my accident, I have been blessed with several opportunities and challenges. In 2000, along with the help of family and friends, I founded the Lee County Chapter of The Buoniconti Fund. Founded by NFL Hall of Fame Linebacker Nick Buoniconti after his son Marc was paralyzed from the neck down while playing college football, the Buoniconti Fund was founded to raise money for the world's largest neurological research facility, The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis. In 8 years, the Lee County Chapter raised over $100,000!
In June 2001, I embarked on another journey when I opened an EcoQuest Interational. franchise called JCL Air & Water Purification. In only 2 years I reached the top 1% rank in the company as a Senior Sales Manager and was awarded my first bonus car, a 2003 Cadillac CTS, which I gave my mother as a gift.
In June 2004, I was blessed again when I met the loves of my life, Alyssa Barch and her beautiful 1 year old daughter, Gwyneth. In September 2004 I proposed and on December 11th 2004, I made Alyssa my wife and Gwyneth my daughter.
In August 2007, I took a part time sales position with the Florida Stingrays, a professional indoor football team in Fort Myers. After only 4 months with the team I was promoted to VP of Operations and served in that role through the 2008 season.
When the Stingrays closed their doors, I decided that I wanted a career that would fuel my passion for helping people while taking advantage of my skills in leadership, sales, marketing, event coordination, and planning. As a disabled person, I know firsthand what a huge financial struggle it can be to acquire the necessary medical equipment and accessibility supplies that I need on a day to day basis to live a normal life. Insurance, Medicare, and Medicaid quite simply do not have the resources to provide basic needs like accessible eating utensils that allows physically challenged people to feed themselves and adaptive chairs that allow the dignity of something many take for granted, a morning shower. These products are very expensive necessities that a lot of severely disabled people do not have and cannot afford.
I know times are tough and many businesses are suffering, but for the severely disabled, times will always be tough and your TAX DEDUCTIBLE contribution today, whatever the amount, could greatly improve someone's life tomorrow. I ask you to please join my efforts today to give helping H.A.N.D.S. U.P. in your community.
Click here to visit the H.A.N.D.S Up Website!
