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	Welcome Thank you for visiting the JF website! This is our very 1st fund-raiser ever! Proceeds will be used to secure a complete overhaul of a spectacular full-functioning website, get the foundation off the ground as well as help those in need a number of ways. Please read below about JF and thank you in advance for your donations! Send correspondence and donations to: Jordan Foundation PO Box 85111 Westland, MI 48185 9998 Thank you for visiting the JF website! This is our very 1st fund-raiser ever! Proceeds will be used to secure a completely overhaul of a spectacular full-functioning website, get the foundation off the ground as well as help those in need a number of ways. Please read below about JF and thank you in advance for your donations! Send correspondence and donations to: Jordan Foundation PO Box 85111 Westland, MI 48185 9998 * * * * * * * * * Treasured Audience and Valued Members of Our Community: Jordan Foundation USA, a preferred section 501.C.3 non-profit organization (FEIN Taxable ID 01-0917960), is dedicated to making a difference in the lives of others by providing alternatives to learning, socializing and networking with outreach programs in local communities. Your donation will also make it possible to finalize an important website which serves as a cornerstone allowing prospective recipients to make individual requests online for needs or unique desires. JF worked diligently for several months to achieve an extensive, comprehensive and detailed proposal as well as gain a strong position and commitment from a certified Webmaster. Your donation makes the website possible and affects many lives including children and families who simply otherwise can not afford amenities or even basics many of us and others so often take for granted. An official, fully-functional website allows JF USA to reach out to people and remain in pursuit of our mission (see JF USA Mission Statement). During our infancy stages of growth, there is solid opportunity to gain prime exposure which reflects the epitome or essence of our social values as they relate to contemporary issues of each day concerning our rights and responsibilities. JF USA honors industry-specific interests because we respect the competitive nature of business and wish to remain effective networking (e.g. should JF receive a donation from one source, it does not approach competitors of that source; that is to maximize adherence to policy and conflict of interest). There are 5 levels of donations: Platinum Donation $5,000.00 This amount receives preferred recognition and the company is placed as a Sponsor of the year. Letter and tax deductible receipt issued; donation recognized on JF USA website; special promotion provided during major events over proceeding 12 months (negotiable). Gold Donation $2,500.00 This amount receives preferred recognition and the company is placed as a Sponsor of the month. Letter and tax deductible receipt issued, promotion given at major events over proceeding 6 months. Silver Donation $1,000.00 Letter and tax deductible receipt issued. Appreciation letter may be mailed and donation recognized on JF USA website per authorization. 5-Star Donation $500. 00 Letter and tax deductible receipt issued. Appreciation letter may be mailed and donation recognized on JF USA website per authorization. Star Donation $100. 00 Appreciation letter may be mailed and donation recognized on JF USA website per authorization. 1% Individual Donation (a.k.a. donation) This is the JF “ ” campaign. This is where JF is requesting individuals to consider donating 1% of 1 paycheck one time annually. Please make your donation today or next allowable accounting period! Via electronic funds transfer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . or US Mail . . . . . . . . . . . . . Account #: 7XXXXX1851 Routing #: 072405455 Fifth Third Bank Contact: Lynn Fenton Tel. 734.729.5353 734.729.5353 Fax: 734.729.5358 P. O. Box 85111 Westland, MI 48185- Check or $ order payable to: “Jordan Foundation” Please add JF to your list of non-profits organizations or as a preferred recipient of donations for programs you may have, approved or authorized donation list, special donation projects or annual drives currently have in place. JF would also like to extend our ongoing appreciation and thank you in advance for your donation and prayers. JF USA promises to put your donation to an honorable and admirable use. Realize, in order to keep growing and developing the foundation, it is crucial to keep our operations and efforts reaching out to those in need. These efforts are simply not possible without your donations. It is proper and customary for JF to recognize companies and organizations for donations. So JF would also like to reciprocate our appreciation by working with your company to promote your good act and donation(s). We can do this; are open to a number of possibilities. For now, as stated above; especially while the JF website is under development (as well as when the site is completed), there is an awesome opportunity to reach a large demographic population and target audience. You company logo could appear with a general disclaimer noting your good will donation and active participation to build-up, support and better our community. JF would be also honored to promote the logo along with an effective Public Service Announcement with regard to your generosity. This is, of course, only one of many possibilities. JF USA has many plans to reach out and has planted seeds to utilize various avenues of media. For example, talks continue and plans exist with open action items for radio commercials, short television spots (mainly during holiday seasons), and other intriguing website related and ready media. JF USA plans to be around for a long time working with select companies ready to demonstrate excellence in community leadership. These are exciting times for JF as so many lives wait to be affected. Your donation represents the best society has to offer; is accepted with many thanks and much pride and seriousness. Every donation counts, a lot. Each donation makes a monumental difference toward the lives and welfare of those who need it most. Why Jordan Foundation USA ? Why you? The mission of Jordan Foundation USA is to help children and people in wheelchairs and their families by providing them much needed assistance. This assistance is expressed both tangibly and intangibly. It could be through a material need or a service provided. Jordan Foundation USA provides a number of activities and offers a day to remember, opportunities to draw from the experience, and a means to network with others to aid such children and people build self-esteem and self-development and cope with their unique condition or adversity. Our operational slogan is “Helping people in wheelchairs.” Our marketing slogan is “ ” whereas JF USA requests donations of only 1% of 1 paycheck once per year. By advocating this slogan over time, many small donations can have an immense impact. The website is an important part of this campaign! A major Executive Goal is strengthening community awareness of children and families dealing with tremendous disadvantages of our socialization process, e.g. mobility and daily living, through active participation in community events including and not limited to production- performances, recreational activities, films and movies, sporting and social events, special events, luncheons, diners, and networking opportunities. Also refer to JF USA Mission Statement. · Provide a memorable day that will make a direct impact on the quality of life for children and families who know what life is like in a wheelchair · Provide an internet website for networking · Promote the value of doing business with organization affiliates · Provide support to enrich creative potential and intellectual growth · Establish awareness or education; assessment and recognition for businesses and organizations seeking or achieving wheelchair accessibility, social responsibility or ADA compliance Non-Discrimination Policy Statement As a Federally-registered, State-certified and licensed solicitor of public funding, the Jordan Foundation USA does not exclude, deny benefits to, or otherwise discriminate against any person on the ground of race, color, national origin, age, sex, religion or disability in admission to, participation in, or receipt of the services and benefits of any of its programs and activities or in employment therein, whether carried out by Jordan Foundation USA directly or through a contractor or any other entity with whom the Jordan Foundation USA arranges to carry out its programs and activities. Jordan Foundation USA does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, national origin, disability, sex or age in admission, treatment, or participation in its programs, services and activities, or in employment. No person shall be excluded from participation in, or be denied the benefits of any service, or be subjected to discrimination because of race, color, nationality, religion, sex, age, disability. Once again, JF USA thanks you in advance for your donation, looks forward to hearing from you and strives to work with you making our community a better place to live by touching the lives of the people in it. Below provides you a small glimpse and background elaborating a little on how JF USA formed from concept. We hope you understand and become motivated to act! In the beginning: “Sowing the seeds”…Jordan Richard Buford was born into the world like many. We found ourselves blessed as we enjoyed the love a family shares when a new family member arrives. It was a time of celebration. It seemed the wife and I were so excited, glad and looking forward to establishing a family we didn’t waste any time getting right to business working to conceive yet another child, which would give us three. Just before Jordan turned 1 year of age, we noticed our son, “Jordy” having trouble crawling, pulling himself up in his crib and other things babies start doing. So, to be on the safe side, we scheduled an appointment and general follow up at University of Michigan Hospital to further investigate what we thought was likely a minor delay of his development. The doctor came in, then another, one by one, then team by team. We witnessed growing concerns and started to realize quickly this may be bigger than anything we might have expected. My wife and I held our son down on a table while doctors poked flimsy needles in his arms and legs. They were intensely looking at a computer screen, measuring and analyzing electrical activity and sensitivity from Jordan ’s nerves to his muscle tissue and brain. Needless to say, it was not the most pleasant experience and was heightened when the doctors all left and then returned with somber faces and closed the door. They explained that our son had Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) Jordan would never walk and his condition would progressively weaken. They explained that Jordan ’s condition was genetic; there was a mutation of the SMN (Survival Motor Neuron) gene in both me and my wife. Both our genes passed to Jordan meaning his nerve cells do not properly function and do not carry the much needed proteins to bodily muscle tissues; so his muscle tissues would ‘atrophy,’ or waste overtime. Jordan would not be able to sit unsupported, brush his teeth, comb his hair, go the bathroom, wash or bath, eat at times without assistance, or manage daily aspects of life many of us take for granted. We accepted Jordan would not be able to do these things but would always struggle with and repress the fact that his condition would eventually lead to a cease of most any physical activity. Within a few short hours, our world and life changed forever. All the doctors had to do now was perform a blood test (which, at the time, had only been technologically available within the past couple months) to confirm whether Jordan was SMA Type I or Type II. Type I meant sure death at an early age. Type II would mean a later onset where his muscle development would weaken over an undetermined and unfound “shortened lifespan.” Since the rate increase in muscle weakness varies this was impossible to measure. They further explained since my wife and I were carriers of them mutant gene, every time we conceive a child there was a 25% chance of effectively passing SMA to offspring. My wife, Kristen, was [sitting there] pregnant; in her 3rd trimester, with Karley, our third child. All we could do is pray (and grieve). It seemed as though certain dreams were shattered. Somehow we held confidence through our faith, hope and grace would triumph. We left the hospital with tears streaming down our faces. Sickness filled our empty stomachs. We’ll never go back to that restaurant where we stopped and couldn’t eat. We were in a heavy depressive state for some time. I remember on one occasion after the news hit when me and Kristen were at the mall. We stopped and rested at the kids playing area, Jordan in the stroller with his sister, Taylor (4 years older). As we sat and watched the kids climbing, running and playing, we could help but think of our little Jordy-bug and how he would miss this kind of play and interaction with our kids. My wife and I looked at each other, again tears strolling down our faces. There was no need to say anything. The depression would be a nemesis our family would battle for life. As much as we focus on the many positive things we were so fortunate to have, there would always be a place of sadness in our hearts, and we would always battle these demons. We mentally prepared ourselves acknowledging that adversities would come; many days would be represent unfamiliar challenges and uncharted waters and may take a toll one more ways than we can imagine (as life would have it, work and social life were no exception). We sought support and found Families of Spinal Muscular Atrophy (www.fsma.org), a nonprofit for families with SMA. In fact, we poured our hearts out in a letter asking for assistance and received a grant to travel to an annual conference which greatly helped us cope and deal with our plight. We found we were not alone; many families had similar situations, having children with SMA. The main difference was these children had a power wheelchair which provided mobility at a young age. While at the conference and attending the classes, lectures and counseling we took pictures of the children and their wheelchairs to bring back with us to Michigan . It was almost like Ripley’s, ‘Believe It or Not.’ We couldn’t believe that children this young could drive and maneuver these chairs! We knew immediately we had to get Jordy some wheels! Long story short, we lobbied for a chair through one of Michigan ’s leading neurologist as well as a panel of medical (and insurance) professionals. Jordan, at 18 months old, was one of the youngest children in Michigan to ever receive an electric wheelchair. We were told the number one cause of death for people with SMA was pneumonia since they have weaker lungs and a weaker immune system. Only years later would prove this to be an ongoing concern as Jordan battled many days and various times in Intensive Care Units undergoing sleepless nights and aggressive treatments followed by the need for critical prescriptions and medical equipment. At age 7, Jordan underwent a spinal fusion surgery since his muscles could not support his spine and was suffering an acute case of scoliosis. The doctors performed a bone grafting, i.e. chiseled bone from Jordan ’s pelvic and hip bone areas, applied those bone parts to his spine and permanently lined his spinal cord with a metal rod, steel parts and wires. It was a heartbreaking experience. By the grace of God moving through these doctors, it is a miracle Jordan made it through the surgery. We are all very grateful. More recent events brought about new struggles. The day came when it was nearly impossible to give Jordan a bath safely. We had to raise money to take out our bathtub and replace it with an open wheel-in shower. The project was made possible only through the kindness and generosity of people that cared enough to take action make a difference. We again experienced and came to realize, first hand, how the charity of others and how tapping into this human kindness, makes a world difference to others in need. JF USA today… Jordan is especially excited to see JF USA succeed, develop and grow into a vehicle helping others. He wants to help by reaching out to other children and families that need help, i.e. help in any way possible. That is no surprise because our family raised the children with good values that advocate honesty, ethics, and goodwill. We have always told the children that there is one common human vocation - to be a good citizen and thoughtful human being. Jordan is 13 years old and doing well. He likes to travel; traveled to Washington D.C. with his 8th grade class to visit the capital, monuments and museums. Jordan attends a regular public school and classes and is looking forward to high school and college. He enjoys computers, playing video games with friends, Yu-Gi-Oh card games and tournaments, going to church, collecting $2 bills, going to the movies, meeting new people and participating in community events. One of Jordan ’s favorite memories is going to Disney World (again, with special thanks to non-profit work!) – yet another inspiration and blessing from charity which helped shape what JF USA is today. These types of experiences and blessings are not possible without your help. It is from these types of works of goodwill, we realize how fortunate Jordan is and, through JF USA , accept responsibility to advocate such gifts and act as patron in so far as the gifts we have, we are given to share. Not too long ago, Jordan lost a fine companion to cancer in 2008. Tulio (Italian for “lover”), was a great service dog. The experience of sharing life and losing his dog was very meaningful. My thesis, as part of my MBA degree, was on the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. I truly believe it is one of the most notable pieces of legislature. But as former presidents and government officials have stated and implied on many occasions, there is a long way to go and the road to ensure nondiscrimination on the basis of disability remains difficult and steep. There remains a tremendous amount of hardship for people in wheelchairs; only some of which may be referred to herein. Fortunately, there are organizations striving for a place in our society to make a difference. It is our purpose, the purpose of JF USA , to use theses principals and experiences of our collective beings to make the world a better place to live. JF USA is rather simple and is based on raising money through fundraising activities of our local communities, allowing those proceeds to realize the implementation of a website allowing people to interact and request help online as well as network, develop community interaction, meet others and participate in community events and projects. Other short term needs and work to help the poor and less fortunate are a main focus (this could be as simple as offering to purchase a meal or groceries or fixing a wheelchair, getting new wheelchair tires, securing transportation needs, bring about reading material or material possessions that would lead to better self esteem or open new opportunities for self-discovery, social positioning or other general needs that are deemed immediate). Other goals involve converting mobile homes for transporting people in wheelchairs and a family member to events (e.g. say taking a group to a ball game or theatrical event near the holidays, etc.). JF USA tomorrow…a few comments about the future of JF USA The experience and immense impact of living with a loved one bound to life in a wheelchair is at the core and the driving force that motivates the efforts to develop JF USA . It is difficult to speculate on certain aspects of what the future holds for JF USA . Certainly the driving forces and goodwill of US citizens are in place; ready to be managed honestly and wisely through JF USA . It is hopeful JF USA continues to grow in size and scope using transparent activities to meet the demands of those in need, like Jordan, who may share similar experiences or stories and to positively touch lives with amazing grace. Thank you, God Bless Jordan Foundation USA Respectfully yours, Richard M. Buford Founder & President TM Mission Statement Mission Statement The mission of Jordan Foundation USA is to help the poor and less fortunate by providing social or material support. JF USA focuses on children and people who are bound to living in a wheelchair. Jordan Foundation USA collaborates and networks with small and large business owners to promote awareness and implement real solutions that have a positive effect on the lives of others. Jordan Foundation USA believes in the honest good will it serves, in the people that make our mission possible, in ourselves and our supporters and in the work we perform. Those acting on behalf of Jordan Foundation USA set a profound example of social responsibility and excellence in community leadership. Richard Buford- Founder TM Officers and Board of Directors, 2010 Richard M. Buford Founder, President Mill Pointe, 38185 Palmateer Road , Westland , Michigan 48186-9310 , (734) 620-0057 (734) 620-0057 MBA, Wayne State University Specializations: Business Development, Philanthropy, Civil Services, Collaborative Relationships, Program and General Management, Negotiations, Partnership Building, Marketing, Value Creation Kristen L. Buford Co-Founder, Vice-President Mill Pointe, 38185 Palmateer Road , Westland , Michigan 48186-9310 , (734) 788-8824 (734) 788-8824 Child Development Studies, Schoolcraft College Specializations: Philanthropy, Collaborative Relations, Community Relations, Project Planning, Certified Patient Care Technician, Child Development, Mentoring Michael J Buford Consultant The Glens of Copper Creek, 28807 Hidden Trail, Farmington Hills , Michigan 48331 , (248) 488-0093 (248) 488-0093 MBA, University of Notre Dame Specializations: Executive Management, Value Creation, Business Development, General Management, Partnership Building, Administrative Policy Marc Robert Director 790 Lakepointe, Gross Pointe Park , Michigan 48230 , (313) 414-8612 (313) 414-8612 BBS, Ferris State University Specializations: Wealth Management, Strategic Planning, Operations, Collaborative Relationships, Philanthropy, Partnership Building and Relationship Management Ryan Scarcelli Director Fairfield Glades, 29765 Lacy, Westland , Michigan 48186 , (734)444-6929 (734)444-6929 Specializations: Collaborative Relationships, Partnership Building , Account & Project Management