The Makery’s Blessing Box
Right in front of The Makeshop, you will find our brand new blessing box. A place where the community can give what they can and take what they need. We would love if you all could help us fill this blessing box with non-perishable foods, toiletries and other household needs. We also need help spreading the word to those who could benefit from our blessing box.
Past Causes
+ Emma Pfouts and Family
Emma’s Story:
“Bursting with life, spirit, and full of love. There are not enough words to express how amazing Emma truly is. A beautiful young woman both inside and out. Her kindness and love has touched so many people in so many different ways. There are people in this life that stand out amongst millions, Emma is one of those people. From her infectious smile that she always wears, to her kindness that she loves to spread (and shows to every single person that she comes in contact with). Emma is a daughter, a sister, a niece, a cousin, a friend, a cheerleader, a classmate, a granddaughter, a great granddaughter, and to some maybe even just an acquaintance. But this is Emma, and the simplest way to put it is…. Emma is more than that. She exceeds her role in whatever form you know her. She makes sure she treats every “title” she carries with love, respect, happiness, and laughter. Oh and that laugh… Emma…we need to work on that :-). Her happiness and joy for life is shown by how she treats everyone. So genuine, so happy, so loveable, so caring, so many things that all represent what’s great in this world.
On Saturday October 19th, 2019 a family’s worst nightmare became reality. While Emma was attending Norton High Schools’ Homecoming dance, she experienced a severe asthma attack, Emma in a non-responsive state and fighting for her life.” (from the GoFundMe page)
“Emma Pfouts is defeating the odds and making “significant progress” in her months-long road to recovery after she fell critically ill following an asthma attack at her school’s homecoming dance last year.
Her mother, Christina Weigand, posted an update on the progress that her daughter has made since Christmas day, which includes voluntary movements such as moving her legs and opening and closing her eyes on command.
Emma’s mother chronicled her progress so far:
- realizing she understands speech (we didn’t know she would)
- realizing she can see (we were told she probably wouldn’t)
- opening & closing her eyes on command
- opening & closing her mouth on command
- sticking out her tongue on command
- pushing outward on her legs
- shrugging her shoulders (I was leaning across her fixing her gown talking to Chris about someone shrugging their shoulders & she did it. I was astonished!)
- laughs
- smiles
- moves her head up off the bed (doesn’t have full control but has some)
- can squeeze my hand (not fully but some)
- tracks us with her eyes
- partially rolls herself from side to back
Every day since Christmas, Emma’s family has witnessed reactions and progress they were told might never happen. On Thursday, Emma laughed when her family reminisced about past events.
“This tells us she REMEMBERS!! I literally have tears in my eyes typing this,” Weigand wrote on Facebook. “Not only does she recognize us, her family, and her close friends, she remembers stories and things that have happened to her in the past!!”
Emma’s progress made by showing emotions and recognizing her family members marks a significant moment in her recovery, because at the time she was admitted to the hospital, her mother said Emma was “given hours to live.”
It’s been a roller coaster of emotions since the Norton teen was placed in a medically-induced coma. On Oct. 19, 2019, Emma was at the homecoming dance when she started struggling to breathe. A police officer watched as Emma walked to her car to grab her asthma inhaler, but as she returned to the building, the officer noticed the teen was in serious trouble. She never made it back inside.
Three weeks after being placed in a medically-induced coma, Emma began swallowing, yawning and moving her eyes, as well as moving her hand.
On Thursday, doctors at Akron Children’s Hospital delivered news that her family has been praying for since day one: that she has graduated to inpatient rehabilitation as of next week.
“This week, Emma has proven she is a fighter and SHE IS THERE! She has thoughts, she does remember things, she is way beyond what anyone said she would do and we couldn’t be happier,” Weigand said. “The things she has done this past week, while they may seem like little accomplishments, they are actually monumental feats for her.” From News 5 Cleveland
+ Antoine Campbell
Antoine Campbell is one of the most stand-up guys you’ve ever met. He has selflessly given countless hours of his time helping the Copley community and beyond for many years, serving as the director of the Copley Youth basketball program. He has mentored literally thousands of boys and girls through his work as an assistant principal in the Solon School System and Director of the SMAC Akron Basketball Program. He takes great pride in his family, coaching with his wife, Jodi, in life and on the court. His first team is always his kids, AJ, Tysen, Tyah and Jace, helping them to be the best they can be.
But Antoine can no longer stand on his own, so we’re asking you to stand up for him.
On January 20, Antoine walked into St. Thomas hospital to have back surgery for spinal stenosis. Though any surgery has risks, this was supposed to be fairly routine. He was supposed to be discharged the same day and even had the crock pot set on the kitchen counter for one of his favorite dinners that night. However, when he woke up in the post op recovery room, he terrifyingly realized – he couldn’t move his legs.
His doctors are baffled – but the simple truth is, Antoine Campbell hasn’t walked since.
On January 24, Antoine was moved to the Cleveland Clinic’s Edwin Shaw Rehabilitation Center. He’d been working with the staff there to get used to his current reality – re-learning to do the most basic tasks we take for granted on a daily basis. Getting in and out of bed, taking a shower, even going to the bathroom. The man who has dedicated his life to lifting up others requires at least two people to do the same for him now.
On February 5th, Antoine suffered a serious setback which put his life in even more desperate straits. A massive blood clot lodged in his pulmonary artery, and had him literally fighting for his life, not just his mobility. After an incredible team effort by Doctors, Nurses, Pharmacists and others, they were able to dissolve the blockage. His current prognosis is “tireless rehab- wait and see.”
As Antoine’s insurance has been pushing to get him out of the rehab facility as soon as possible, the Campbell’s are faced with the immediate and overwhelming task of mounting bills and the prospect of having to rebuild much of the lower level of their house so he can get around in a wheelchair. This requires reformatting walls, widening doors, rebuilding the bathroom and kitchen, and possibly buying a wheelchair accessible vehicle.
The medical and home remodel costs are staggering.
Everyone who knows Antoine can tell you examples of ways he has helped them without batting an eye. Shortly after entering the rehab facility, one of his current players came to visit him. The first thing Antoine asked him was “How are your grades?” When the boy reluctantly said he was struggling in a class, Antoine’s first instinct was to tell the boy’s father, “You bring him here to see me every day while I am in rehab. We’ll work on his homework and turn those grades around.”
As anyone who knows the Campbell’s can attest, Antoine and his wife Jodi would be reluctant to ever ask for help. He has been a provider and problem solver for so many over the years, this situation is totally foreign to him. Let’s help take some of the more immediate problems off their plate.
We’ve launched this Go Fund Me campaign on behalf of Antoine’s wife Jodi, his children AJ, Tysen, Tyah and Jace, to show “Coach” that his impact as a mentor has been far-reaching and dramatic.
Purchase E-Gift Cards
Purchase your e-gift card! Gift cards can be used in store on items from The Makery & The Farm Stand!
DON'T FORGET TO VISIT OUR FRIENDS AT THE FARMSTAND, WE SHARE A BUILDING!