Tuesday, August 30, 2011

A Fund for Jennie


Sometimes things happen that really make you wonder, really make you feel like life just isn't fair. A few weeks ago, I noticed my Twitter stream come alive with the hashtag #apieformikey. Upon further investigation, I learned that the husband of a well-known and well-respected Food Blogger, Jennie Perillo of In Jennie's Kitchen, had died suddenly of a heart attack leaving Jennie to care for their two young daughters and mourn the loss of the love of her life. I don't know Jennie, and I had never read her blog, but my heart broke.

Jennie's request to the food blogging community: make a peanut butter pie and share it with someone you love. What happened next brings tears to my eyes, as this incredible community of wonderful people started to bake. The White on Rice couple, a lovely couple I have had the pleasure of working with at my new job, made this incredible video tribute to Jennie (warning: this made me sob at my desk).

That same incredible community of people then started A Fund for Jennie to raise money to help Jennie with the financial troubles that resulted from Mikey's passing. Almost every single food blogger I have ever heard of, met or worked with either made a Pie for Mikey, donated an auction item to A Fund for Jennie, or did both.

I have been lucky enough to get to work with Bloggers Without Borders on A Fund For Jennie, and there are still some live auctions, so head over to their website and check it out. You can also donate directly through PayPal to Bloggers Without Borders, and the money will go to A Fund for Jennie.

This story has moved me very deeply, I still sometimes sit and cry when I think of what Jennie must be going through, and I hope the love and support of her friends in the food blogging community has helped ease some of the pain.

This story has made me take extra time to stop and tell the people I love how I feel, especially my incredible family, my wonderful friends and my amazing boyfriend who I feel lucky to know every single day of my life. I love you Patrick.Jennie, I know I don't know you, but I think your strength is simply amazing and I want you to know that I keep you in my thoughts. I'm deeply sorry for your loss.

-The Fabulous Foodie

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