By Andrew Martins
Staff Writer
JACKSON – The Jackson Police Department will host an event to support JAR of Hope.
Police are asking members of the public to join them at 8 a.m. June 4 on the turf field at the Jackson Justice Complex to do push-ups in support of the organization that is seeking a cure for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.
JAR of Hope, which is based in Manalapan, was founded in 2013 after Jim and Karen Raffone learned their young son, Jamesy, has the disease.
According to the Muscular Dystrophy Association, Duchenne is a genetic disorder characterized by progressive muscle degeneration and weakness that primarily affects boys between the ages of 3 and 5. The disease is caused by a lack of dystrophin, which helps keep muscle cells intact. Duchenne is one of nine types of muscular dystrophy.
JAR of Hope is an effort by the Raffones to raise money to help find a cure for the disease. One of the organization’s fundraising events is a push-up challenge. Police officers from Jackson and surrounding towns, as well as emergency services personnel and members of the public will support the effort on June 4.
“I just want to help as much as possible and see if we can help (Jim Raffone) and his son,” Officer Mike Grochowski said. “I came up with the idea of trying to challenge the town to come out and fill up our nice turf field. I am trying to get a mass of people at one time. If we can fill that 100-yard field with people, I think that would be a great showing.”
Grochowski said he reached out to the PBA, to Jackson’s fire departments, to the Jackson School District and to youth sports leagues to help organize and attend the event.
Donations for JAR of Hope will be accepted at the push-up challenge. For additional information, call Grochowski at 732-598-7689 or email [email protected]