Mankato, MN (May 8, 2019) – The Jonathan Zierdt Cancer Fund (JZCF), a donor advised fund of the Mankato Area Foundation is pleased to announce the Box Love Campaign. In January 2018, the JZCF launched our signature program—the JZ Caring Box. The JZ Caring Box is designed for patients diagnosed with cancer and contains items to provide support and comfort as well as access to information and resources for patients, their families and caregivers. In anticipation of the need for 1,000+ Caring Boxes each year, the JZCF has launched a major fundraising campaign called Box Love with a goal of raising $1,000,000.

“During the last months and weeks of Jonathan’s declining health, the JZCF was still busy carrying out our program of work to ensure the future of JZCF and fulfillment of our important mission—to raise community cancer awareness and support,” says Tami Paulsen, JZCF Director. “Our signature program, the JZ Caring Box, has now delivered 1,000 boxes to our medical provider partners for distribution to area cancer patients.”

Over the last several months, the JZCF has been in the silent phase of fundraising for the Box Love Campaign and today announces that to date they have raised $700,000 of the million-dollar campaign. Now entering the public phase, the JZCF is asking the public to help raise our remaining $300,000. Major donations ($2,500+) have already come from many greater Mankato area businesses and individuals, and donations of $5,000 or more will be recognized on a special Community of Caring wall at the offices of Mankato Area Foundation.

“By making a donation or pledge to the Box Love Campaign you can touch people during one of the most difficult times in their lives and help sustain the distribution of these important care packages and the ongoing operations of our JZCF,” says Paulsen.

Jonathan Zierdt’s impact on greater Mankato was extremely evident in the outpouring of memorial gifts made in Jonathan’s honor. As part of the $700,000 raised so far, over 400 were memorial gifts totaling $33,000.

“The sincere and generous outpouring of memorials to the JZCF is not only an expression of kindness and sympathy toward Jonathan, but a testament to the commitment and motivation people have to champion the ongoing, powerful mission of the JZCF,” says Ginger Zierdt, Jonathan’s wife. “Jonathan believed in the spirit of nurturing and celebrating a “caring community.” It enabled him to thrive during his cancer journey. The support the JZCF continues to receive will ensure that so many others, like him, will live Fully Alive while fighting cancer. Our family and coalition’s gratefulness for everyone’s support of Jonathan and the JZCF is immeasurable.”

Helping to kick off the public phase of the Box Love Campaign, The Minnesota River Builders Association and the Raw Fusion Committee have selected the JZCF as this year’s beneficiary for Raw Fusion happening Friday night at the Mankato Civic Center.

To make a contribution to the JZCF or learn more about the fund, please visit jzfullyalive.com or call 507.389.4583

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About Jonathan Zierdt Cancer Fund
The Jonathan Zierdt Cancer Fund, a donor advised fund of the Mankato Area Foundation, was established in 2017 by Jonathan and Ginger Zierdt and a guiding coalition of engaged community leaders to build community cancer awareness and support. The fund is committed to community cancer awareness and support and has the vision of changing the cancer journey. For more information
or to donate visit jzfullyalive.com.