Blog

"How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the Gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!" Romans 10:15

Our annual Turkey Trot is one of my absolute favorite outreach activities at St. Matthew Lutheran School, but this year’s event carried a special tenderness for many reasons. One factor was that for the past three weeks, our students and congregational members have been thoughtfully constructing a paper chain with each link bearing the name of a cancer survivor that we were running to honor, or a loved one we were running to remember.

Before the Turkey Trot began last Friday, our Student Council held up this chain as our students and parents circled around it and joined together in prayer. Among the hundreds of names written on the chains was the name of Jameson Doud, the young third grade boy from St. Michael Richville, whose nine-month battle with brain cancer inspired the creation of Jameson Strong, the nonprofit organization God led us to choose as this year’s Turkey Trot recipient.

As a result of all of our students' efforts and everyone’s generosity, our students raised $11,500 for Jameson Strong to create Christian Care packages for pediatric cancer patients and their families.

We rejoice and praise God for this tremendous response and pray that our efforts will help share Jesus with families in desperate need of hope!

With much love and gratitude,

Mrs. Palka

“Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.” — Hebrews 12:1

As we enter into the season of thankfulness and gratitude, the students of St. Matthew Lutheran School have an amazing servant opportunity this Friday, November 14th, to use their feet, as well as their hearts, to raise funds for “Jameson Strong”, a nonprofit organization that sends Christian care packages to families facing a pediatric cancer diagnosis.  

To help you hear the passion behind the tender mission of Jameson Strong, listed below are a few excerpts taken from the Jameson Strong website where Jameson’s mom explains various items contained in their care packages:

The Cross:

“As parents, our world came crashing down in the ER when we heard the words, "We found a mass on your son's brain, and he needs emergency surgery"

"We then were faced with decisions on what hospital our son would have the surgery. There was no time to think, and we chose the best Children's Hospital in Michigan. All of a sudden they were preparing an ambulance for our son to be transported to Ann Arbor. In the middle of the chaos, our wonderful Pastor was right by our sides and praying. He gave me a small wooden cross with "Jameson" written on it. I clung onto that little wooden cross the whole ride in the ambulance all the way until Jameson was admitted into Mott Hospital. I held onto that cross all through the night and into the next day when he had surgery. The cross was a comfort to us, a reminder that we were not alone in this, and that God never leaves us even in our darkest time. That is why in each care box, each child will receive a small personalized cross. A cross that you or your child can hold onto so that you will know you are never alone."

A Cross Necklace:

"While our son was going through treatments, we bought our son a cross necklace.  He wore this necklace almost every day making sure we put it on him right away in the morning with his glasses. This necklace brought comfort to Jameson throughout this journey. Dad got one for Christmas to match also.  Then when one of our close family friends lost his mother, Jameson had us order him one also to help comfort him. We will be adding a cross necklace in our care boxes to help bring hope and comfort to other children.”

The website provides additional heartwarming descriptions of the other items contained in each care packages and the meaning behind them, such as a devotional book, prayer book, stress balls saying “Jesus is the rock”, and a homemade paper cross made by Jameson’s five year old sister.

Tomorrow, students are asked to bring in their completed pledge forms and any funds that they have collected. We totally understand that some pledges will come in later once donors learn how many laps their student has run.  Forms have been distributed in class; however, you may also print one off HERE.

Starting at 9:30 a.m., students in grades Preschool through Grade 4 will run laps around our soccer field. Students in grades 5 - 8 will begin running at 10:15 a.m. Parents are also welcome to come and serve as cheerleaders. As of now, the weather forecast is calling for morning temperatures in the 40’s, so please come dressed appropriately!

Students who raise over $50 will receive a T-shirt with the above logo. Students raising over $100 have the option to receive a sweatshirt. Please note that students can only select one shirt no matter the amount raised.

In addition, we realize that so many families are affected by cancer. As a result, we have started a Color Out Cancer prayer chain. In our church lobby, you will find a color chart of the various types of cancer. If you know of someone who is currently dealing with cancer, or who has survived cancer, or someone who you would like us to run in their memory, please write their name on a paper that reflects their color of cancer and put it in the designated box. Our Upper Grade students are making a chain of these papers, and we will pray over it at the start of our Turkey Trot.

As Christians, we treasure the fact that God’s love and faithfulness remain steadfast through both joy and heartbreak. In addition, we cling to the promise that through faith in Jesus, there will be beautiful heavenly reunions with loved ones!

Let’s make this year’s Turkey Trot extremely impactful as we partner with Jameson Strong to bring the love of Christ to families in need of strength and hope!

Mrs. Palka

“Therefore, encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11

Twenty-nine years ago, Pastor Paul baptized our youngest child when she was six days old and in the ICU of Detroit Children’s Hospital the night before she had major heart surgery. Last Sunday, our family stood in awe of God’s goodness as we watched that same girl cross the finish line of the New York City Marathon!

The very first story that she shared with us after the race will also be a treasured memory. “I just had the most amazing God-thing happen to me! At Mile 24, my hamstring started cramping up, and I was in such terrible pain, so I just started praying, “God, please help me!” Immediately, I heard a familiar voice from another Team World Vision member, who just seemed to appear out of nowhere, saying, “How are you doing, Teenie?” When I told him that I was struggling, he instantly prayed over me and then said, “Come on. We’re finishing this together!” And throughout the last two miles, he just kept encouraging me all the way to the finish line.”

Godly encouragement is extremely powerful, especially to those who are hurting. This year’s Turkey Trot has tremendous potential to share the love of Jesus with those who are in desperate need of hope!

This year, our 15th Annual St. Matthew Turkey Trot is designated to support “Jameson Strong”, a non-profit established by the Doud family that sends Christian care packages to families experiencing a pediatric cancer journey.

Last year, I learned of Jameson Doud through the Michigan Lutheran Principals Google Group. Jameson was a second grader who attended St. Michael's Lutheran School, Richville, MI. After a significant period of not feeling well, Jameson was also diagnosed with a brain tumor. Doctors treated Jameson with surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation, and there was a period where Jameson was cancer-free. However, in May, his family received the devastating news that the cancer had returned. Jesus took Jameson to be with Him in Heaven on August 12, 2025.  

Jameson's family has formed a non-profit in his memory called "Jameson Strong." The mission of this non-profit is to create Christian Care packages for pediatric cancer families that contain many of the gifts and items that brought Jameson's family comfort during their lengthy hospital stays. Such items include: a cross with the child's name on it that can be placed in the hospital room (Jameson's pastor brought him a similar cross with his name on it during his first hospital visit; the family continued to take it to every hospital stay there after), a Bible, a devotional book, and a cross necklace like Jameson wore during his hospital stays, and more.

Since the formation of this non-profit in September, they have already sent out 42 Christian Care packages to families facing similar cancer journeys.  

Our Color Out Cancer Turkey Trot for Jameson Strong will be held on Friday, November 14th. Students are asked to collect pledges before the 14th. Forms have been distributed in class; however, you may also print one off with the link in the school newsletter.

On the morning of the Turkey Trot, students will run laps around our soccer field. Parents are also welcome to come and serve as cheerleaders.

Donors can give a one time donation or pledge per lap. All donations will be given to Jameson Strong to assist them with their very important mission of sharing Jesus with pediatric cancer families who are in desperate need of hope.

Students who raise over $50 will receive a T-shirt with the above logo. Students raising over $100 have the option to receive a sweatshirt.  

In addition, we realize that so many families are affected by cancer. As a result, we have started a Color Out Cancer prayer chain. In our church lobby, you will find a color chart of the various types of cancer. If you know of someone who is currently dealing with cancer, or who has survived cancer, or someone who you would like us to run in their memory, please write their name on a paper that reflects their color of cancer and put it in the designated box. Our Upper Grade students are making a chain of these papers, and we will pray over it at the start of our Turkey Trot.

As Christians, we treasure the fact that God’s love and faithfulness remain steadfast through both joy and heartbreak. In addition, we cling to the promise that through faith in Jesus, there will be beautiful heavenly reunions with loved ones!

God's richest blessings, and thank you for your support in this endeavor!

Mrs. Palka