‘Elf Jazzy’ helps kids enjoy the wonders of Christmas
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BLOOMFIELD -- Jasmyne Whitman's resume includes a letter of recommendation from Santa Claus himself.
"She's a wonderful young lady and a wonderful elf," Santa said through local spokesman Bill Dieterle. "Her heart is so pure. She is so genuine."
Five years ago, Whitman, a John F. Kennedy High School senior from North Bloomfield, began volunteering at Santa's Hide-A-Way Hollow. The nonprofit retreat in Middlefield Township, on the Mesopotamia border, brings Christmas year-round to seriously and terminally ill children and their families.
"The elves hear a lot of stories, see a lot of tears and interact with children knowing their medical ailments," Santa wrote in his letter of recommendation. "The goal is to lift the spirit and create joy for the families to relive throughout the years.
"She gets on the floor with them, helps them open toys, sings songs and reads Christmas stories as if these children were her siblings or best friends. She doesn't see their illness or the wires and tubes. She truly wants to spread happiness and hope to families who may have lost it."
For Whitman, transforming into Elf Jazzy started as something cool to do but developed into a life passion.
"Being an elf, it's not something I talk about and tell all my friends," Whitman said. "Having it in my heart is what matters to me."
ROUGH START
"Jasmyne has had a rough start to life, born into a home with only her mother's love," her stepfather, John Timko, said. "Her father left the picture early on, and she had no relationship with him prior to his passing. I met her when she was around 4.
"She suffered greatly from severe asthma and had extensive daily treatments," Timko said. "She always has had a smile on her face and grown up with a positive attitude and works toward her dreams. She exercised her lungs, making herself stronger and pushing herself on her own so that she could participate in sports."
"It was pretty bad," Whitman said of her asthma. "I was in the hospital, in and out for days for two years. It was hard because in gym class, I wouldn't be able to do as much as my friends could."
Eventually, the asthma receded. Now she plays varsity volleyball and is a varsity cheerleader, among other activities.
She transferred from Bloomfield Locals Schools to Kennedy in Warren her sophomore year and carries a 3.3 grade-point average while enrolled in such courses as honors biology, honors pre-calculus, honors world literature and Advanced Placement American government. Whitman drives 25 miles each way to and from school and practice. She also works two jobs -- at Arby's restaurant in Champion and at the Mask Factory in Warren.
Earlier this year, Whitman was chosen the Knights of Columbus Youth of the Year for the Youngstown Diocese and finished second in the state.
"Her nomination came partially from her pro-life stance and her involvement in her church as an altar server and a leader in the youth group she attends," Timko said.
She also attended the March for Life in Washington and the Cleveland Diocese pro-life gathering called The Fest.
It takes plotting it all in her planner to keep everything straight, but Whitman said her parents taught her to work hard. Don't beg for it; get busy and make it happen.
SEEING SANTA
Whitman, who turned 18 last month, said she was introduced to Santa and the private, year-round Christmas village by a neighbor.
"My best friend from Bloomfield lived across the street," Whitman said. "She introduced me to him. Ever since we were 12 or 13, we were here.
"Starting out, it was a fun thing to do," Whitman said. "Then you understand it the more you get into it.
"A lot of kids that come have it a lot worse than I did. It humbles you a lot.
"Each kid that you meet has something special about them," Whitman said. Doing something for them turns on the joy. "A lot of them don't get the opportunity to do anything.
"My favorite visit that we did, I was sitting in school and I got a text from Mrs. Claus: 'Hey, we need a couple of elves. Can you come?'"
That night, Santa's SWAT -- Special Wishes And Toys -- vehicles, police cruisers and fire trucks rolled, sirens wailing. Special guest the Batman came along as well. They pulled up to the house of a boy about 5 years old who was about to head to Boston for experimental cancer treatments.
"He was just so happy he couldn't speak," Elf Jazzy said. "He was so shocked. We sang to him; we gave him presents." She paused. "His family knew he wasn't going to make it to Christmas."
"Because of the elves, I became second fiddle," Santa said. "I didn't even need to be there."
Santa said the boy's mom told him the child re-enacted the whole visit the next day, pointing out where each visitor sat or stood. He kept talking about it on the way to Boston.
The boy since has passed. Many of the kids who see Santa and his elves do. There are 463 Christmas trees planted in Hide-A-Way Hollow. Each was planted by the parents of a child who since has known his or her last Christmas on earth.
"We create memories (for kids and for the family to hold)," Santa said. "Jasmyne is a memory maker. She hugs kids. She smiles. She laughs with them."
WHAT COMES NEXT
Whitman plans to enroll at Kent State University to become a special needs teacher.
"For the longest time, I didn't know what I wanted to do. I prayed about it a lot, what should I do," she said. "All my friends had their lives figured out."
A former teacher talked to her about the special education program offered at KSU. Whitman realized the answer had been right in front of her with every visit to Santa's northeast Ohio branch. She always had wanted to be a teacher. Realizing that she could teach kids with special needs sealed the deal.
She said that her faith also plays an important role in working with the kids and their families.
"I think that God really … He chooses the people who can take it and are strong enough to go through what you can go through with these families," she said. "You just got to give it to God.
"When the kids come and you're talking to them, you have to reflect God, too."
Which, Santa said, she does -- with every smile, hug and Christmas carol that she gives.