BY IRIS B. HOLTON
Sentinel City Editor
N’Jhari Jackson is anything but a typical ten-year-old. While others his age may be concentrating on sports, his full attention is dedicated to other children. In fact, the back of his business cards reads, “Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have…” taken from Hebrews 13:16.
Last week, the youngster realized that his effort to brighten the lives of ill children has not gone unnoticed. He was presented a bronze medal as a Distinguished Finalist by the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards.
N’Jhari founded the “Pajama Buddy Voyage” five years ago and has given more than 1,800 new stuffed “Buddies” to children in hospitals facing surgery. Some bags have been shipped as far away as China.
His mother, Ms. LaShina Lewis Jackson, said of her only child that his community service began five years ago. “He sends bags to children, when he hears about them.”
And, other people inform him, including doctors and nurses. N’Jhari now visits four hospitals, Shriner’s Hospital, Arnold Palmer’s Children’s Hospital, St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital, and Tampa General Hospital.
Ms. Lewis Jackson moved to Tampa to accept a job in 2007. Shortly thereafter, N’Jhari was hospitalized for surgery. “I couldn’t go into the operating room with him and someone gave him a large stuffed toy. One kid who was on his way to surgery asked N’Jhari where he had gotten it from, and he gave it to the kid,” his mother recalls.
That was the beginning of “Pajama Buddy Voyage.” When hospitals began closing the playrooms because of the risk of infections, N’Jhari created “Pajama Drab Bags.” The custom-made bags contain all types of donated gifts ranging from books to Kindle readers.
His mother said that whenever her son meets a child who needs assistance, he steps up. In January, N’Jhari met five-year-old Hailey Bankhead, who has been diagnosed with Stage 4 Cancer.
Ms. Lewis Jackson recalls him saying, “Mommy, I wish we could just take it to her.” So, on a Friday afternoon, the two drove to Atlanta to deliver the items he had for her. At the time, Hailey had just undergone surgery to have a kidney removed and the gifts made her smile.
On April 6th, the mother and son team will travel to Atlanta so that N’Jhari can participate in a 5K Walk to benefit the Hailey Bankhead Foundation. He has already raised $1,200 for the foundation, his mother said.
Ms. Lewis Jackson said her son never ask for anything for himself, even for his birthday or Christmas. “If someone asks what he wants, he talks about his program. Now, people don’t even knock, they just leave donations on the door.
“He’s grateful for all of the donations. And even though the award was presented to him, it’s really for the community.”
A native of Chicago, N’Jhari is a 5th grade student at Paideia School of Tampa Bay. He enjoys swimming, he plays guitar, and speaks Chinese. The son of Christopher Jackson, of North Carolina, N’Jhari attends Tampa Bay Presbyterian Church, where he participates in the Youth Choir and in the Pioneers Club.
