My son, Jaden Kaufman just graduated from Wayland High School a couple of weeks ago. While all of his friends and classmates are anxiously preparing to head off for College in just a couple of months, Jaden's plans have halted. The plan was for him to go off to the University of New Haven and join their Fire Science program. Unfortunately, that's beginning to look more like a dream then a reality due to the fact that we still owe around $20,000 for the 1st years tuition. Jaden received a number of grants and scholarships, plus the University also awarded him just over $22,000 a year based on his academic performance at Wayland High. He was awarded the scholarship that the Wayland Fire Department gives out each year to a student who is looking to become a Fire Fighter as well as being awarded a scholarship from the Wayland Scholarship Committee.

My purpose for creating this GoFundme is not to ask for donations, but rather to ask if you would be willing to make an investment in Jaden and his future. Once Jaden completes his 4 years at the University of New Haven, he will be able to go to any fire station and begin working to help keep the men, women, children and even pets safe.

For those of you who don't know Jaden, let this incredibly proud mama share a little bit about him....During his time at Wayland High, Jaden definitely left his mark. He played football all 4 years and his senior year he was picked to be the DCL Defensive Player of the year! Jaden also wrestled for all 4 years and managed to qualify for States and come in 6th for his weight class. He was chosen by his coaches to be the recipient of the Rick Moyer Great Life Experience Award. This award is given to a student-athlete who has volunteered their time to Wayland Youth Sports and has demonstrated the qualities that Coach Moyer brought to the athletes and their families in Wayland throughout his career, such as

commitment to the sport, respect of teammates, dedication to their studies, and an appreciation for the strong foundation Wayland has provided them. For a student who will always remember their “Great Life Experience.”

If you are one of the lucky ones who know Jaden personally, you know that not only do you have a friend for life, but a friend who is always there to lend a hand or an ear without even having to ask. His personality is infectious, his smile is contagious and ....he has always had lots of friends and is known to go above and beyond with out a second thought if any of them show any signs of needing help. Jaden is always putting the needs of those around him before his own, so it came as no surprise when he announced that he wanted to go to school so that he could become a Fireman. 2 years ago, Jaden's fight or flight response was put to the test when he discovered his father laying unresponsive in our upstairs bathroom. Despite the extreme personal nature of this event, Jaden didn't hesitate for a second and ultimately took control of the situation by performing CPR until the Paramedics showed up and were able to take over. Jaden will always remember that as one of the very last interactions he had with his father because less then 24 hours later, he passed away in the Hospital. It felt like the whole world came to a screeching halt as the life of my kids and my own changed forever. I would hate for Jaden's dream to go off to college and his chance to create the life he so deserves to have died that night as well.