Recently we were humbled and grateful to be asked by a close family friend to be a part of her high school project. We met Skylar Kaplan through Alpharetta youth football several years ago when Jeff coached her younger brother, Mason. Over the course of three years of football we grew close to the Kaplan family, and have been fortunate to be able to stay in touch with them.

Below is a copy of an email Skylar is sending out describing her project – a cookbook she is creating and selling to support Joubert Syndrome research. We encourage you to support her (and in turn support the Joubert Foundation) not because of us, but because the world simply needs more people with hearts like Skylar Kaplan.

And besides, where else can you get a great recipe book for only $8?

Hello, my name is Skylar Kaplan. I am a sophomore at Alpharetta High School in Georgia. Recently, my class has been assigned a project in my TAG Honors Literature Class called the 20 Time Project. In this project we are allowed to choose anything to devote our time to every other Friday. I have chosen to make a cookbook, RECIPEASY. But that is not all. I have also decided that I would sell this cookbook to help raise money for a charity in support of Joubert Syndrome, the Joubert Foundation. Joubert Syndrome is a rare brain malformation characterized by underdeveloped balance, coordination, muscle tone and intellectual disabilities of varying degrees.

I was inspired to raise money for this charity because I met the Key family. Hillary and Jeff Key have two children, Bennett and Lacey, with Joubert Syndrome. I have gotten the chance to know them and they have taught me what strength and courage are. Bennett is a girl-crazy WWE fan, and a football-loving teenage boy. Lacey is a beautiful little girl who is growing up so fast. This cookbook is a collection of recipes from family and friends. It is more than just a recipe book, it is a collection of memories and histories of these families that have all connected to me in some way.

I invite you to join me in my experience by purchasing this cookbook. However, by purchasing the book for only $8, you get more than recipes. You get to positively affect the lives of others. 100% of the profits from each sale is given to support research being conducted to determine how to eliminate Joubert Syndrome and to help those currently with Joubert Syndrome. From sushi rice to baked spaghetti to chocolate bundt cake, I gathered over 50 easy-to-make recipes from the family members and friends that helped shape my life. Be a part of something special and fun. It’s not just easy, it’s RECIPEASY!

If you would like to purchase a cookbook please email me at skylarnk@gmail.com with how many you would like to purchase by May 2. All checks and cash can be payable to me, Skylar Kaplan, and sent to 535 Tatum Drive, Alpharetta, GA 30022. Also, please forward this email to anyone that you feel would be interested in purchasing this special cookbook. Thank you in advance for your support.

Thank you, Skylar Kaplan

I am not a crier. It takes a lot for me to push out a tear.  And it’s not because I’m tough. It’s an unhealthy, self-protecting mechanism that has developed over the years. When I do cry, I am so very relieved to know I am, in fact human. That said, there are certain memories that make me tear up every time.

Here is one. (Be forewarned, it’s my personal opinion that people overuse the words blessed and amazing, so please forgive me because I am about to do just that.)

Our family has been blessed to have friends who have chosen to join our roller coaster journey, to pick us up and push us forward in the dips and to celebrate hard with us on the peaks. This story involves one such amazing friend. I’ll call her “K”.

K has four children, three around Bennett’s age. We met at church when Bennett and her oldest were babies. She has been along for the crazy Key ride ever since.

When Bennett was around five years old, K’s children asked her about heaven. She explained how God loves us so much that He sent Jesus to rescue us and make a way for us to be with him in heaven. She told them how there is no sickness, pain or death in heaven. This is good news, and a lot to take in (for all of us), so K used their friend Bennett to explain further.

She told them that in heaven Bennett will be able to walk and run and jump. He will be able to speak clearly and do the things his body will not allow here. To her surprise, the kids cheered and jumped and DANCED around, because they were so happy for Bennett.

Picturing the pure selfless joy of that moment gives me a teary smile and thankful pause.

I am thankful for friends pick us up, push us forward and celebrate with us. I am also thankful for the gift of Bennett and his sister, Lacey, who make both heaven and the days here worth celebrating.

And I am thankful for the pure selfless love we celebrate today.

Happy Easter.

July 16, 2005 – The American Idol concert at Gwinnett Center with Mom. Those who know Bennett know his first love is music. When he was little, nothing (and I mean NOTHING) got him more excited than American Idol. This was his first “real” concert, and happened to be the year that Carrie Underwood won.

Note: Mom made Bennett the shirt he is wearing – “American Idol 2018”. Hard to believe how close that actually is now.