UPDATE
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UPDATE
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UPDATE 📣 UPDATE 📣
87 supporters strong — $10,815 raised — and JP’s in Fiji!
Keep scrolling for an update...
If you feel called to contribute, we are still accepting donations.
Every added dollar helps JP continue traveling safely and sustainably for as long as he can.
💛 JP’s First Update From Fiji — And a Heartfelt Thank You
Dear Friends, Family & Supporters,
We hardly know where to begin…
84 incredible, generous, kind-hearted humans stepped up to support JP — WOW!
The love, care, and compassion we’ve felt over the past two weeks have been nothing short of extraordinary.
Because of you and 86 other contributors, we raised $10,815, giving our son the reset and restart he was yearning for.
We will never forget this.
Sending Him Off
On Wednesday, November 19, we dropped him at the airport — tears of joy and a little sadness all woven together. There’s something so bittersweet about watching your child step into their life in this way… wanting them to fly, yet not knowing exactly when you’ll get to hug them again.
But we’re doing well, truly — grateful and eagerly awaiting each update.
John’s niece, Natasha, and nephew-in-law, Derwood, welcome JP with a fresh coconut.
He’s Safe, Settled, and Already Exploring
JP’s journey began with a flight to LA, then the long haul to Fiji.
The moment he landed in Suva, John’s family (his hosts) scooped him up and welcomed him with warmth and open arms.
It melts our hearts to know that complete strangers have been so kind — embracing him as if he were their own.
And he hasn’t wasted a moment.
Within 24 hours, he was fishing, exploring, and settling into island life.
We even got to see his sweet face on Monday — he’s doing great!
He’s already:
found a gym for his workouts
explored downtown Suva
connected deeply with his host family
gotten sunburned (of course 😂)
Their bond seems to have taken off instantly — as if they’ve known each other forever.
They even gathered together to cook a Thanksgiving meal in JP’s honor. A table full of people he had never met, welcoming him as if he had always belonged there. The depth of their kindness still takes our breath away.
And now, as of Friday, November 28, he’s already begun a workaway-style experience with friends of John’s family in Beqa, Fiji — an island ringed by nearly 200 miles of coral reef. Picture turquoise water, volcanic mountains, and one of the world’s largest barrier reefs just outside his door.
He’s thriving. He’s exploring. He’s sunburned and smiling (of course 😂). And he’s saying yes to whatever this adventure places in front of him.
And…
None of This Would Be Possible Without You
Every moment — every smile, every new experience, every breath of fresh possibility — is happening because of you.
These experiences, these connections, this new chapter — all born from your generosity, compassion, and belief in him.
Our eyes still swell with tears of gratitude every time we talk about it.
Your kindness.
Your generosity.
Your belief in him.
Your willingness to help a young man begin again with a renewed heart and spirit.
We cannot thank you enough.
Not now, not ever.
This is the true power of community.
And this will stay with us for the rest of our lives.
Because we love music…
I made a short playlist for you — a musical thank-you, from our hearts to yours.
If you feel called, listen with your eyes closed, take a slow breath in, and let yourself feel the generosity, abundance, and goodness you poured into this moment for our son.
We are endlessly grateful.
Thank you, 10x over, for helping JP step into this next chapter surrounded by nothing but love.
With all our love,
Danielle & Jennifer 
Derwood and JP fishing!
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Yes — with deep gratitude.
Further contributions help JP extend his travels responsibly and affordably, especially as he moves between hosts and Workaway opportunities.
There’s absolutely no pressure, but if you feel called to support him further, or for the first time, it will be put to good use.
Ideally, his goal is to travel as long as possible.
His next stop is New Zealand, January 2026.
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Absolutely.
We’re committed to sharing updates as his adventure unfolds — little glimpses of where he is, who he’s meeting, and how he’s doing.
Every part of this journey has been fueled by your generosity, and we want you to feel connected to what you helped create.
We anticipate our next update being at the end of December/beginning of 2026.
Stay tuned… We’ll be sending an email update.You can also revisit this page anytime to see if we’ve made any updates.
If you want to be sure you’re on the list, send me an email (danielle@superfinesocial.com), and I’ll be sure to add you!
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If you feel called to send JP a note of encouragement, we know he would appreciate it deeply.
You can reply directly to the email (that alerted you to this update) or email danielle@superfinesocial.com, and we’ll make sure your words reach him.
Messages of support, inspiration, or simply letting him know you’re thinking of him make him feel the love from across the world.
Our Original Message & Request
💛 With Love for JP: A Request from Our Family
Dear Friends & Family,
We hope you’re doing well.
Whether we’ve spoken recently or it’s been some time, please know that if you're reading this, we're sending our love across the distance.
We hope life has brought you joy, good health, and wonderful moments in between the hard ones.
Today, we’re reaching out with something personal about our son, JP (Jason).
This is a hard message to write — partly because we don’t usually ask for help, and partly because it’s about something that has deeply shaken our family.
But here we are, reaching out from the heart…
Almost three months ago — on August 12th, just three days before his 22nd birthday — our son, JP (Jason), was involved in a tragic and severe construction accident.
He survived with only a concussion, but his boss and mentor, John Lust, lost his life that day.
JP was incredibly close to him. John wasn’t just his boss — he was family.
They spent last Thanksgiving together in Washington, helping build a home for John’s relatives.
Since that day, he’s been processing all that happened — and this loss.
We are beyond grateful that our son is alive.
Had things gone differently by just a few inches, we would be telling a very different story.
Since then, JP has been doing his best to find his footing again.
While he’s been offered work since the accident, he hasn’t felt ready to go back.
And because he was working as an independent contractor, he isn’t eligible for workers’ comp or unemployment.
For nearly three months, he’s been home — resting, restoring, and moving through the natural layers of grief and trauma while finding his way forward.
He’s been reflective, grounded, and deeply aware of how precious every day truly is.
This reflection has led to a strong desire to travel and spend the winter away.
✨ The Opportunity: A Reset in Fiji
JP has always loved adventure.
In 2022, he saved up and backpacked solo through Switzerland and Italy — a trip that changed him in all the best ways.
Recently, after hearing what he’s been through, our friends and neighbors, John and Andrew (and their family), offered to host him for a month in Fiji.
Fiji! Can you believe it?!
A chance for JP to step away from the weight of all that’s happened and reconnect with himself and the world around him.
We see this as a reset — a time to explore, reflect, and begin imagining what comes next.
In our minds, we can already picture him fishing, exploring the islands, meeting new people — slowly opening back up to life and all that his future holds.
💛 How You Can Help
Since the accident, we’ve supported JP financially — covering housing, food, and bills — but we can’t do this next step alone.
We’re hoping to raise $10,000 to make this opportunity possible.
These funds will cover:
Airfare and travel expenses to and around Fiji
Travel gear and backpacking supplies
Meals and additional accommodations
Seed money for his next step — further travel or his return home
Every dollar will go directly toward helping JP begin again and rebuild his sense of direction.
This isn’t a four-week vacation — it’s a reset and a fresh start.
The more of the $10,000 we’re able to raise, the longer JP can continue backpacking after his first month in Fiji.
We’re also exploring Workaways to extend his trip — opportunities where he can travel while contributing his time and skills in exchange for food and lodging.
Depending on how close we get to the goal, this could give him a few extra weeks — or even a few months — to explore, learn, and find his way forward.
Any funds left over will go toward helping him restart his life — whether that’s here, or somewhere else in the world.
Whether it’s $25, $100, $500, or even a gifted flight, your support means more than we can express.
We also understand that everyone’s financial circumstances are different and sometimes ever-changing — there’s absolutely no pressure or expectation.
Your love, encouragement, prayers, good thoughts, and simply reading this message mean the world to us.
Ways to Contribute:
→ PayPal
→ Zelle (845-707-1658 - Danielle’s cell)
→ Check (mail to PO BOX 203, Narrowsburg, NY 12764)
Out of respect for John’s family, who are still grieving, and JP’s privacy, we ask that you not share this publicly on social media.
However, if you feel called to share this with someone, please do so by text or email.
His hosts have asked that he arrive within the next 2–3 weeks, so time is of the essence.
If you believe in this next chapter like we do, we’d be deeply grateful for your help in making it possible.
At first, JP didn’t want us to do this.
He’s independent and humble — the kind of person who never asks for help.
But we told him — You don’t have to do this alone. What you went through was traumatic — this isn’t something you experience, witness, and bounce back from quickly. And people love you. They’ll want to help.
So here we are, asking on his behalf — because we love him, and we know many of you do too.
From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for loving us, our son, and for being part of our lives.
With love and gratitude ❤️🙏
Danielle & Jennifer Update — We’re More Than Halfway There!
Plane tickets are purchased — JP leaves this Wednesday, 11/19!
Thanks to the generosity and kindness of 57 friends and family members, we’ve reached more than half our goal!
💛 $7,500 down, $2,500 to go! 💛
Every word of encouragement and every contribution has meant the world to JP (and to us). It’s been incredibly moving to feel the love surrounding him as he prepares for this next chapter.
So here we are — over halfway there and ready to call in the last part that will carry JP even further into his adventure.
Not only is he heading to Fiji on Wednesday, he’s also going to New Zealand!
Our friends and former farmers, Sean and Cheyenne (who now live there), also offered to host him the moment they heard what had happened. We couldn’t be more grateful for their kindness.
He’s even exploring a Workaway opportunity in Hawaii, which would allow him to keep traveling while giving back.
JP’s hope is to travel for as long as possible — ideally six months or more — continuing to explore, learn, and rebuild his sense of direction.
If you haven’t donated yet and feel called to contribute, now is the time — every dollar helps ensure JP has food, safe places to stay, and the means to travel between hosts.
As his momz, we can truly say this experience is renewing his spirit. His flight is booked, and we send him off this coming Wednesday!
From the bottom of our hearts, thank you again for being part of his journey.
We’ll keep sharing updates as his adventure unfolds — thank you for helping make it possible.
Danielle, Jennifer & JP