The Emma Project is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in April 2016 in memory of Emma Kate Jones, an 11-year-old girl from Tuscaloosa who died tragically in 2015. Our purpose is to reach and positively impact people in the community through schools and other organizations that were important to Emma, as a way to honor her life and make a difference in the lives of others. We hope that th
rough this foundation we can make a fraction of the difference that Emma did in so many lives, and that she will be remembered not for her death, but for her life. At the end of the 2015-2016 school year, The Emma Jones Friendship Award was created at Hillcrest Middle School to recognize a student who is an exceptional friend to others, just as Emma always was. She would be proud to be a part of encouraging students to be kind to one another and stand up against bullying. The award and a small gift will be presented to the honoree at the school's Honor's Night each year. We hope to continue this for many years and are excited to see what the future could hold for this award. The Emma Project contributes to several programs at Englewood Elementary, such as library, GATE (Gifted and Talented Education), special education, and a general fund for children who need coats, socks and shoes, snacks, money for field trips, etc. In 2017 we were able to donate $3,000 to the school! We will also be painting a mural there for the children to enjoy. Currently we are focusing on Englewood, since Emma spent three years there, but soon we hope to branch out to Hillcrest Middle and other Tuscaloosa County Schools, and contribute to them as well. Tuscaloosa County Park and Recreation is building a new playground at Sokol Park South. Their goal is to build an accessible, all-inclusive space for children and families of all ages and abilities, so that everyone can play together regardless of their limitations. This is something that Emma would be very excited about, so we have been in contact with PARA about purchasing equipment and items to help along the development of the playground. We will be planting a tree at the Bobby Miller Center as well, which is also a PARA facility, for everyone to see and enjoy in memory of Emma. She spent a lot of time there, so it was very special to her and her family. We will be donating funds to the Center as well. We are also reaching out through local funeral homes to families who have lost children. We have created packets for each family that contain resources, encouraging words, and small thoughtful items as coping tools for the grieving families, to offer some comfort and hope to them as they begin the grieving process. A few funeral homes in the area already have packets in stock and ready to give to families. Each year we will be holding a fundraiser to support our various community projects. All donations and proceeds from fundraisers will go directly to The Emma Project Memorial Fund at FNB of Central Alabama to be used for making all of our above mentioned plans, and more, become a reality.
