If you have been inspired by Jake’s story and the Grys family, please give in whatever way that you can to organizations such as the Osteogenesis Imperfecta Foundation, Easter Seals and Special Olympics. The hard work has only just begun.

* Unbreakable Spirit is the motto imprinted on the charity wristbands put out by the Osteogenesis Imperfecta Foundation.

The Journal Star had an article today quoting that $130,000 is needed to pay off the Grys family’s old mortgage. The figure is correct, but it’s not just to pay for the mortgage. A big chunk of that money is to pay for medical bills for Jake and the twins,

Donations can be made at any National City branch to the Design Built Homes Extreme Fund. You can also donate at the build site or online. None of the money contributed goes to ABC. It all goes to the Grys family to pay the old mortgage AND the mammoth medical bills they’ve accumulated caring for these special kids.

I know times are tough, but please … give a few dollars for Jake and his family. I can’t think of anyone possibly more deserving of your generosity. Thanks!

YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I’ll be volunteering Friday 10/24 from noon to 4 PM, and Sunday 10/26 from 8 PM to midnight. Sign up and join the fun!

I hope, hope, hope they’re coming to help Jake Grys!!!

If you want to volunteer or donate supplies, please contact Extreme Makeover at illinoismakeover@emhe.tv.

If you haven’t done it yet, please sign the petition and help this amazing little boy achieve his independence.

Contractors, business owners and others wishing to lend support to the Grys family can contact Angie DeLost via e-mail at 2padlers@insightbb.com. The more community support that we show, the more likely Jake and his family will get the home makeover!

I’m talking about Jake Grys and the petition to get his family home renovated on the show Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. The signature count on his petition has passed 10,000!!! I hope the producers are paying attention!

For all those who have signed already, thank you. For those who haven’t yet … strike a few keys and sign your name to a good cause.

The Journal Star ran an article today on Jake Grys (the tiny little boy with brittle bones and a giant personality) and the effort to feature the Grys family home on Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. There are some great photos online … check ‘em out. The picture here is from his petition site.

With this article, prominently featured on the front page of the “Local” section, the number of signatures on Jake’s petition has jumped by 1000 in just one day! It’s now up to over 7700.

Come on folks … if you haven’t signed the petition, what are you waiting for??? Let’s get to 10,000 signatures and beyond!

Addendum (7/27/07): The petition is up over 9,000 signatures!

There’s no new information in this column for those following the story here in Central Illinois, but hopefully this will spread the word about Jake to a wider audience. According to Vance’s site, his column is published in more than 125 newspapers.

Many thanks to Daniel Vance for lending his support to our little brittle boy with a big heart and giant personality.

If you haven’t done it yet … sign the petition!

It’s a great story about Jake and the big-hearted Grys family, and hopefully it will bring even more attention to the effort to get their family home on Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.  I have only one complaint …

They didn’t print the link to his petition! I’m sure people who take half a minute to Google “Jake Grys” will find it, but the less internet literate among us probably could have used the direct connection.

Anyway, if you haven’t signed the petition or forwarded it to your 50 closest friends, get to work!

If you haven’t signed the petition yet … what’s wrong with you???  Get going!