We teach a lot of great classes at the school, but what's even better - we meet some of the best people in Las Vegas. James is one of them.
When we met James a few months ago at one of Jeff's Pen Turning classes, we had a special fondness for him. It's not just his sweet personality, but the story behind him. How he found his way to the school, and how he planned on turning a class (and his passion!) into something spectacular.
See, just 2 weeks after James turned 7 years old, he was diagnosed with grade 4 Glioblastoma Brain Cancer and given 8-14 months to live.
Shortly after, James family received the news that he would be granted his Wish of meeting Santa at his summer home in Florida!
Cancer is not only a physical battle, but a mental one too and the Florida vacation was just what James needed to continue the fight.
Here he is…7 years later, not only surviving but thriving.
This past weekend, James participated in a fundraiser was Walk for Wishes benefiting Make-A-Wish Southern Nevada.
When they sent us an invitation to come to the fundraiser, we couldn't resist!
He found his passion (and meditation) in woodworking.
When asked yesterday at Walk for Wishes what his wish would be now at 14 years old…he immediately said “a workshop”.
He donated $7 from every pen sale directly to Make-A-Wish.
Why $7?
He was 7 years old when diagnosed, 7 years old when his Wish was granted and it’s been 7 years since that diagnosis!
I suspect that James has a bright future - not only health-wise, but with his creativity.
In fact, he has superpowers!
If you'd like to know more about James, here's a link to his website. It's not fully up and running yet, but you can sign up for his mailing list.
He has plans to open up an Etsy store, and if he does - please consider buying a pen from him. It's a small gesture, but means a great deal to a young woodworker like him.
We couldn't be more proud!
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