WILMINGTON, NC, June 13, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Staying true to their corporate values, Amega Marketing Solutions (AMS), attended another fundraising event Saturday, May 20, 2017. Director of Operations, Javen Jenkins, accompanied Jimmy Monroe, Account Manager at AMS and his daughter, Marilyn, to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation’s 2017 Hope Gala – License to Cure Event.
The Casino Royale inspired event took place at the Wilmington Convention Center with the goal of raising money for Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) research. The evening started at six with a martini bar, silent auction and raffle for the guests. A gourmet dinner followed, along with a live auction and an awards ceremony for the organization’s ambassadors and volunteers. Shortly after, the casinos were open to the guests and entertainment followed for the younger attendees as well.
As a team member at AMS, Monroe is no stranger to participating in charitable events with his director. However, this particular cause struck close to home for the North Carolina native.
“At just eight years old my daughter, Marilyn, was diagnosed with the autoimmune disease, Type 1 Diabetes,” stated Monroe. “It started with a seemingly standard doctor visit that turned into a lifetime of finger pricks and counting carbs.”
According to her father, for the past two years, Marilyn has had no choice to grow up quickly and take control of her own health. Because of the disease, certain snacks that would be harmless to her peers, such as potato chips or popsicles, could be detrimental to Marilyn’s health.
“Marilyn has two small devices that stick to her skin, usually on her stomach or leg and then other on her arm,” Monroe explained. “With these devices, her mom and I can track her glucose from virtually anywhere, allowing Marilyn to continue on with her daily life without constantly pricking her fingers to check her sugar.”
As a result of the night, the JDRF was able to announce that they had raised $487,000 that will go to T1D research. Jenkins, who was invited by the father-daughter duo to join the gala, described the experience as touching and inspiring.
“My favorite part of the night was meeting the kids and seeing how confident and happy they are despite this illness that affects their daily lives. They don’t let the disease define them which is really inspiring,” stated Jenkins.
According the Jenkins, AMS’s involvement with the JDRF will continue to grow and he is also open to learning more about other philanthropic causes that his managers and representatives are passionate about.
“I want to know what my team is passionate about; professionally, personally, and morally,” said Jenkins. “In the end, my main focus is to help people grow, and when I get to do that outside of the office, that’s a big bonus for me.”
To learn more about the team at Amega Marketing Solutions, please visit their website at http://www.amegamarketing.com/team.html
If you’d like to get involved in JDRF’s mission, please visit their website at www.jdrf.com
By Falon Whitfiled