The Jennifer Wilks Foundation

“The Jennifer Wilks Foundation” is a 501 c 3 foundation. It was established to honor Jennifer by raising funds for the charities that helped put a smile on her face during her battle with AML.

Our goal is to help the children who are cancer patients, and their families who are right now fighting a similar battle at the new Dell Children’s Hospital here in Austin, Texas. The foundation currently does the following:

We provide and serve meals to the families on the cancer unit at the Dell Children’s Hospital on the 1st, 3rd, 4th and 5th Wednesday of each month. This has turned into something special for these families and for us too! We feed between 30 to 45 people each week.

Each year, we grant a “Make A Wish” for a local child that is battling cancer here in central Texas. Last year, we granted Yazmin’s wish to go to New York with her family to shop, and then on to a special treat to see the “Rockettes” perform.

We are the main sponsor for the teenage youth group “The Hungry Bunch”. They do great work at Dells Children’s Hospital that include monthly activities outside the hospital like their big camping trip each year. Jennifer loved “The Hungry Bunch” and we are proud to help these folks.

On Christmas Eve we serve a special Christmas meal for our ‘families’ on the oncology unit. Last year we served 21 families, as well as the nursing staff totaling over 70 people. They enjoyed a wonderful steak, chicken, and shrimp dinner.

Also on Christmas Eve, we give each patient and their siblings a stuffed stocking and $100 worth of presents. We have the parents filled out a form before Christmas, giving us ideas of what the children need or want for Christmas. Using this list, we go shopping. Last year we helped 47 children!

In 2009, our goals also include helping to support “The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society” and “His Grace Foundation”.

We know that Jennifer is in heaven looking down on each of us and smiling in approval! Please join us in extending your helping hand as well.

– Tim and Mary Wilks for the “Jennifer Wilks Foundation” –

“The Mountain”
-When the task at hand is a mountain in front of you, it may seem hard to climb.
But you don’t have to climb it all at once-just one step at a time.
Take one small step…and one small step…then another…and you will find-
the task at hand, that was a mountain in front of you…
is a mountain you have climbed….

(a favorite poem of Jennifer’s she wished to share with all on her website)

5 Responses to “The Jennifer Wilks Foundation”

1. Kelly Bullock Wheeler says:

   April 12, 2010 at 8:51 pm

   Dear Wilks Family,
   I would like to thank you for the impact that your compassion and sincerity had on my brother and his family during my nephews battle with cancer.My brother Kevin is my best friend. When he called to tell me that my nephew Zack was battling cancer, it had to be the most scary moment in my life – and I cannot imagine what he and his family were feeling. During this journey, your mission at Dell touched his family in a deep and life changing way. Please know that your outreach in the name of Jennifer is amazing, life changing, and an inspiration to all of us. Thank you and may God Bless your endeavors as you continue to reach out and touch lives.
   Sincerely,
   Kelly Bullock Wheeler
   Chesapeake, Virginia
2. Tim & Marty Barnes says:

   April 10, 2010 at 9:25 pm

   We met you while we were in the hospital back in November. I was really moved by what you guys do. We really appreciated it and I am sure all of the other families do as well. Thank you!
3. Rebecca says:

   January 19, 2010 at 9:45 pm

   Tim and Mary,
   Thank you so much for everything you bring to 4 North and their families. I say 4 North and their families because you bring so much to the staff on 4 North as well. Tim, your smile is infectious and it’s inspiring. I did not know your family as Jennifer was going through her passage. I do get to work with some very amazing families now. I’m truly blessed to have the opportunity to share God’s love and Jennifer’s love that you bring to us on a weekly basis. Thank you for ALL you do.
4. Chandra says:

   December 8, 2009 at 11:39 pm

   Tim and Mary,

   I just recieved your email about the amazing day you give to our families up on 4N. Not only is it an amazing dinner and gifts, but your love and your passion to share Jennifers smile with all those going through what she went through..what you went through. You all are amazing people and I am so blessed to know you and cared for Jennifer. I just love her poem on here…”The Mountain” It is truly an inspiration…especially after seeing her face her mountains first hand. I miss her, but know she is in a perfect place and 100% healthy! AMEN! Thank you for all that you do, for making peoples live richer.
5. Alvera Herron says:

   May 11, 2009 at 6:45 pm

   In 2008 our family had a different kind of Christmas. We spent Christmas in the hospital. What a change for us. About 5 days prior to Christmas we were sent to the hospital and our lives took a drastic change. Thanks to the wonderful people at the Jennifer Wilkes foundation our children enjoyed some gifts that we did not have a chance to provide. What a blessing to our family. Thankyou so much for making this transition in our lives easier. May you guys be blessed 100 fold. with love and blessings
   The Herron family