About the Foundation

The Journey of the JESSESTRONG Foundation: A Story of Impact, Hope, and Community

2020: How It All Started

In 2020, our world turned upside down when we found out Jesse had brain cancer. Wanting to make a difference, we started selling t-shirts to raise money for Princess Margaret Hospital, where Jesse was receiving treatment. The response was incredible—we raised $50,000! Even while going through chemo and radiation, Jesse found the energy to start a podcast, sharing his story and inspiring others with his resilience and hope.

2021: The Birth of the JESSESTRONG Foundation

When Jesse passed away on February 17, 2021, our family, friends, and community were heartbroken. But the love and support we received were overwhelming. That same day, we launched the JESSESTRONG Foundation to carry on Jesse’s legacy. His belief was simple: every kid deserves a great childhood—learning to swim, going to camp—regardless of financial struggles. We partnered with Chai Lifeline to help families facing medical challenges. In our first year, we provided free swimming lessons, hosted our first annual golf tournament, and helped launch the swimming program at Chai Lifeline’s first sleepaway camp.

2022: Expanding Our Reach

By 2022, we wanted to do even more. We introduced new merchandise, with all proceeds funding swimming lessons and kids’ events. That summer, Jamie interned at Richter LLP in Montreal, where her fellow interns chose our foundation for their fundraising efforts. They organized bake sales, a spin class, and raffles, raising over $11,000—which the firm then matched! Later in the year, our second annual golf tournament was an even bigger success than the first.

2023: Growing with Our Community

As the foundation grew, so did the ways people wanted to get involved. We launched pickleball tournaments, where men’s teams battled for the coveted JESSESTRONG Pickleball Cup. These events helped fund initiatives like supporting the Kayla Children’s Centre’s therapeutic pool for kids with disabilities and providing toys for the Purim Party at Petah Tikva, making sure every child left with something special.