MANISTIQUE, Mich. (WZMQ) – A Schoolcraft County nonprofit is bringing smiles to people facing chronic illnesses, terminal illnesses, and disabilities.
For much of her life, Sarahjean Adolphus has lived with several rare medical conditions, including mast cell activation syndrome, trigeminal neuralgia, postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, and narcolepsy.
“In about 2016, I became extremely ill,” she said. “I was basically bedbound, and I was part-time in a wheelchair. In 2018, I got an anonymous care package that brightened my day.”
That act of kindness inspired Adolphus to do the same. She founded the Power of 10 Foundation, which is based in Michigan and Minnesota.
“We send care packages worldwide for all ages and genders,” Adolphus explained. “We have other programs like financial support, service dog companionship, one-on-one activity days in hospitals.”
The Power of 10 Foundation has an assortment of items that includes toys, puzzles, jewelry, socks, journals, and bathing products. Care packages are each uniquely filled based on the recipient’s age, illness or disability, likes, and dislikes.
“Volunteers come in here and they look at the applications, and they make the box for you,” said Adolphus. “They make it with love and they put in custom cards that are made by our volunteers.”
To date, the Power of 10 Foundation has sent approximately 10,000 care packages to people in 21 countries.
“We have met so many families, like from the Philipines, for instance,” Adolphus said. “We are now in contact with this family even after their child went through a chemo treatment and they are free and clear of cancer. We still have conversations and we send gifts to them, and to the loved ones who did lose someone in their family.”
During this season of giving, Adolphus encourages others to do what they can to deliver some joy to someone living with an illness or disability.
“Every day taking medications—23 medications, which what I took when I was sick—dark things enter your mind,” she said. “I’ve always said if you just get that five minutes of a little smile on your face from a package, it makes the biggest impact. Mental health is a big factor when people are struggling to fight for another day, so we’re just trying to give gifts of smiles to people.”
To learn more about volunteering with the Power of 10 Foundation, donating, or applying to receive a care package, visit powerof10foundation.org.
