MS. JANET NEEDS OUR HELP!

Hi. We are Emily & Jason Daniels. Until recently, we lived in Battery Park City and were lucky enough to send our kids to Battery Park City Day Nursery. From the day we arrived at the school, Ms. Janet was a larger-than-life part of our experience. If you met her even once, you know what we're talking about. From her high-energy morning greetings to her infectious laughter to her absolute, unflinching dedication and commitment to the wellbeing and joy of children, she exemplifies everything that is wonderful about educators. Before she retired last summer, for 35 years, Ms. Janet nurtured, inspired, cared for, and helped our kids. Now, Ms. Janet needs our help.

In October, Ms. Janet was living in Belize and was on her way to a birthday celebration when she was in a catastrophic car accident and suffered a devastating spinal cord injury. Her sister, Denise, did not survive the crash. Since that time, Ms. Janet has been undergoing a series of surgeries and medical procedures. She has returned to New York to receive the complex treatment she requires and has a long and challenging road ahead of her.

As if that wasn't enough, here's where it gets extra tricky:

After 35 years of loving our kids at BPCDN, Ms. Janet retired this past summer, sold her home on Staten Island, and left New York to fulfill her dream of returning home to live in Belize. Only months later, she is back in New York, without a home and uninsured. She is temporarily staying with family but will need to find a small apartment to rent while she recovers. Most significantly, Ms. Janet is not covered for the many, many, necessary and expensive medical procedures she will need to get through this, not to mention the costly equipment and care she will likely need when she recovers.

This tragedy is hard to comprehend. We are reaching out to our incredibly supportive community (and beyond) to see if we can rally together to support an extraordinary human being who needs us. Our hope is that we can lift some of the unimaginable burdens on Ms. Janet and her family during this incredibly difficult time. Please contribute if you are able, and please share far and wide to your networks. We have no idea exactly how much financial support will be needed, so we are shooting for the sky. Any amount is helpful and sincerely appreciated.

In addition to raising funds, please take a few moments to shower Ms. Janet with love, appreciation and support. Mail or drop-off cards, notes, well-wishes, letters and artwork c/o the Battery Park City Day Nursery, 215 South End Ave, New York, NY 10280, and administrative director Judy Sklover will forward them to her.

As we don't want to add anything to Ms. Janet or her family's to-do list at this time, I am collecting the funds on her behalf via this site. I will distribute 100% of the funds received directly to Ms. Janet (minus the mandatory fees deducted by GoFundMe). If you have any questions, I am happy to answer them.

With love & appreciation,

Emily, Jason, Judah & Sage