LET'S HELP THE WARDS!
Donazione protetta
My name is Jake Ilika, and I'm a friend of the Ward family, and a bandmate/musical cohort of Joel's for nearly half of my life. I'm coordinating fundraising efforts for the Ward family as they deal with the medical expenses and loss of income due to Joel's recent back and shoulder surgery at Mayo Clinic. His recovery and rehabilitation time are somewhere in the 4-6 month range, where he will be unable to work as a musician, sound technician, or music instructor. The family will be living on one income for half a year as he recuperates.
Joel is a full-time musician. All of his earned income is from performing, production, or teaching music. Many of us musicians, including myself, need a part-time or full-time job to help earn enough money, but Joel takes a great risk being completely self-employed in a field that has proven to be one of the most difficult to earn a living in. He's been successful, but it's hard to save income (for things like temporary disability) made through music when performance makes up a lot of your monthly income (Joel plays 10-20 shows a month around the state/region) and the compensation varies so much from gig to gig.
On top of being a self-employed, full-time musician, he is the main childcare provider during the week for his two children, Coltrane (5) and Izabella (3). He will be unable to provide that daily care and intense interaction required by toddlers and young children throughout his recovery period, so the kids may have to be in daycare when family and friends can't help.
Joel's wife, Jess, is taking a 2 month LOA from her job in Psychiatry Research at Mayo Clinic to take over watching the kids, taking care of Joel as he is immobilized and needs assistance with activities of daily living (bathing, dressing, etc.), cooking, medication management, transportation to and from appointments, and more. She won't be returning to work until mid February. Unfortunately, Jess's leave is unpaid, so it's all the more important that we help them out now, in their time of need.
I'm asking you - friends, family, fans, acquintences, and/or strangers - to donate today and help Joel, Jess and their kids get through this challenging time.
All funds raised through this campaign will go directly to Joel and Jess to help with their medical expenses, and help with the impact of their collective lost wages.
Joel is a full-time musician. All of his earned income is from performing, production, or teaching music. Many of us musicians, including myself, need a part-time or full-time job to help earn enough money, but Joel takes a great risk being completely self-employed in a field that has proven to be one of the most difficult to earn a living in. He's been successful, but it's hard to save income (for things like temporary disability) made through music when performance makes up a lot of your monthly income (Joel plays 10-20 shows a month around the state/region) and the compensation varies so much from gig to gig.
On top of being a self-employed, full-time musician, he is the main childcare provider during the week for his two children, Coltrane (5) and Izabella (3). He will be unable to provide that daily care and intense interaction required by toddlers and young children throughout his recovery period, so the kids may have to be in daycare when family and friends can't help.
Joel's wife, Jess, is taking a 2 month LOA from her job in Psychiatry Research at Mayo Clinic to take over watching the kids, taking care of Joel as he is immobilized and needs assistance with activities of daily living (bathing, dressing, etc.), cooking, medication management, transportation to and from appointments, and more. She won't be returning to work until mid February. Unfortunately, Jess's leave is unpaid, so it's all the more important that we help them out now, in their time of need.
I'm asking you - friends, family, fans, acquintences, and/or strangers - to donate today and help Joel, Jess and their kids get through this challenging time.
All funds raised through this campaign will go directly to Joel and Jess to help with their medical expenses, and help with the impact of their collective lost wages.
Organizzatore e beneficiario
Jake Ilika
Organizzatore
Rochester, MN
Joel and Jess Ward
Beneficiario