JACKSON, Mich. — A man in Jackson is taking his love for giving back to the community statewide.
John Hays recently created an organization that helps bring people in need to people who want to help.
"It's truly the most rewarding thing that these people can give," Hays said.
Hays and his friends are used to helping out. Now, he just has a foundation to reach even more people.
Connecting the Dots began as a donation list around Christmas time years ago, but has grown foundation ready to help whoever needs it. The nonprofit can help people in need of food, clothing, car and home repairs, or even medical or dental help.
"It's wonderful," he said. "It's a feeling that not only the individuals who help, but the business owners go 'OK, well I thought this was something that we were doing for families, or people the community but people come back and say this wasn't for them at all...this was for us,'" he said.
It also can help with bills, school supplies, counseling, domestic violence safety, or transportation. Recently, the foundation helped orchestrate a car lease donation from Art Moehn Chevrolet to the mother of a local child shot in the face earlier this year.
"That day that they were here...it just melts your heart to be able to help you know?" Jerry Cox of Art Moehn Chevrolet said. "There are so many people in need so anything that I can do to help and Art Moehn can do to help, that's what we want to do."
More than 25 businesses and individuals have donated to the cause since it fully launched in August. But it's not just money, people can give their time and services too. For Hays, this is just the beginning to bridging the gap between those in need, to those who can help.
"Things that a lot of people take advantage of, to know that those small things that we all experience every day can matter so much, it really puts things into perspective," he said.
The organization is a 501(C)(3) so donations are tax-deductible.
Click here to learn more about Connecting the Dots.
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