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This year, we are very excited to introduce you to Santa’s Elves. Santa’s Elves are T1D kids and their families who have been working with the architects to design and build the Gingerbread Houses. We encourage you to read about each elf and be sure to vote for your favorite! After you vote, you can also donate via text as well. Show your support of your favorite elf this holiday season. All proceeds benefit JDRF Northwest Chapter.
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Jackson Cole
Age 10, Diagnosed with T1D at age 2 Assisting DLR Group with the Beauty and the Beast Enchanted Castle HOW HAS DIABETES AFFECTED YOUR LIFE: It has made me a stronger person and inspired me to teach others about diabetes. WHY ARE YOU EXCITED TO BE A GINGERBREAD VILLAGE ELF? I was excited to see the process of how the gingerbread houses are made and I wanted to make a difference. WHY DID YOU PICK YOUR DO YOU HAVE ANY HOBBIES? I love soccer and play on a select team. I also play baseball, basketball, and really like football too. I love snowboarding and riding my dirt bike and playing video games too. HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN INVOLVED WITH JDRF (AS A FAMILY)? Since I was diagnosed so for almost 8 years now. HAVE YOU EVER BEEN TO GINGERBREAD VILLAGE? Yes almost every year. I think we had two miss a couple once because of the bad snowstorm. DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE THEME OR GINGERBREAD CREATION FROM THE PAST? I really liked the “Grand Central Station” but I don’t remember the theme but I remember it was awesome. WHAT ELSE WOULD YOU LIKE TO SAY ABOUT TYPE 1 DIABETES OR |
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Juliana Graceffo Age 8, Diagnosed with T1D at age 4 Assisting Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties & Gelotte Hommas with Aladdin's Magical Castle HOW HAS DIABETES AFFECTED YOUR LIFE? I have to think about diabetes all the time. Sometimes I am late for recess because my blood sugar is low and I have to eat a snack and stay in. I have to check my blood sugar 10-12 times a day. When I am playing sports or dancing I have to stop and check my blood sugar to make sure I’m not going low.
WHY ARE YOU EXCITED TO BE A GINGERBREAD VILLAGE ELF? I’ve been to the Gingerbread Village for the past few years, and the castles are really cool. I am excited to meet some of the amazing people who make them.
WHY DID YOU PICK YOUR GINGERBREAD CASTLE? I like Disney movies, including Aladdin.
DO YOU HAVE ANY HOBBIES?I love to dance and play sports like soccer, softball, swimming and skiing. I love to play with my friends. I like to read chapter books.
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN INVOLVED WITH JDRF (AS A FAMILY)? We have been involved with JDRF since 2009, shortly after Juliana’s diagnosis, and have led Team Juliana at the Beat the Bridge to Beat Diabetes walk for the past four years. Team Juliana has raised more than $60,000 to date for JDRF.
HAVE YOU EVER BEEN TO GINGERBREAD VILLAGE? Yes, we have been volunteers and have passed out candy canes for the past two years.
DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE THEME OR GINGERBREAD CREATION FROM THE PAST?I liked last year’s train station theme with the Polar Express movie playing in the background. I especially liked the North Pole - Island of Misfit Toys gingerbread house.
WHAT ELSE WOULD YOU LIKE TO SAY ABOUT TYPE 1 DIABETES OR GINGERBREAD VILLAGE? I hope scientists find a cure for diabetes as soon as possible. I hate diabetes!!!!!!!
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Will Mergden
Age 12, Diagnosed with T1D at 13 months Assisting Mulvanny G2 Architecture with Narnia's Snow Queen Castle HOW HAS DIABETES AFFECTED YOUR LIFE? It has made me more mature and more independent then most kids my age.
WHY ARE YOU EXCITED TO BE A GINGERBREAD VILLAGE ELF? It will be fun to see the design and building process from the beginning.
WHY DID YOU PICK YOUR GINGERBREAD CASTLE? I like the book and movie and my parents sometimes call me Willy.
DO YOU HAVE ANY HOBBIES? Soccer, drums, photo bombing
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN INVOLVED WITH JDRF (AS A FAMILY)? Since 2002
HAVE YOU EVER BEEN TO GINGERBREAD VILLAGE? Yes
DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE THEME OR GINGERBREAD CREATION FROM THE PAST? The Nightmare Before Christmas creation
WHAT ELSE WOULD YOU LIKE TO SAY ABOUT TYPE 1 DIABETES OR GINGERBREAD VILLAGE? Kids with diabetes can do anything anyone else can, we just have to work a little harder to keep our blood sugar in range. And gingerbread is yummy!
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Emily, Cassidy, and Zachary
Assisting Callison with Ariel's Underwater Castle Zachary Spencer Age 14, Diagnosed with T1D at age 12 HOW HAS DIABETES AFFECTED YOUR LIFE? Diabetes initially impacted my life when my sister got it 3 ½ years before I did, but then it impacted me even more, of course, when I got it myself. Diabetes effects everything that I do, it requires more planning and responsibility, it’s a hassle, and I pray for a cure. Thankfully, diabetes has not stopped me from doing everything that I want to do, and has made me stronger in many respects.
WHY ARE YOU EXCITED TO BE A GINGERBREAD VILLAGE ELF? I am really excited to help the architects to design the gingerbread house.
WHY DID YOU PICK YOUR GINGERBREAD CASTLE? Because I like oceans and sea life.
DO YOU HAVE ANY HOBBIES? Crew rowing, baseball, biking, kayaking, and reading.
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN INVOLVED WITH JDRF (AS A FAMILY)? 3+ years
HAVE YOU EVER BEEN TO GINGERBREAD VILLAGE? Yes, I have volunteered at GBV.
DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE THEME OR GINGERBREAD CREATION FROM THE PAST? The Grand Central Station New York City. We had been to NYC for Thanksgiving right before volunteering at GV, so that was my favorite one!
WHAT ELSE WOULD YOU LIKE TO SAY ABOUT TYPE 1 DIABETES OR GINGERBREAD VILLAGE? I hope that GV raises a lot of money for diabetes research!
Cassidy Spencer Age 9, Diagnosed with T1D at age 4 HOW HAS DIABETES AFFECTED YOUR LIFE? It made me grow up faster than I would have, it made me really good at math, and it make me count carbohydrates for anything that I eat.
WHY ARE YOU EXCITED TO BE A GINGERBREAD VILLAGE ELF? Because I get to design the house.
WHY DID YOU PICK YOUR GINGERBREAD CASTLE? Because it is Under the Sea and I love the water.
DO YOU HAVE ANY HOBBIES? Soccer, dance, softball, basketball, and crafts.
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN INVOLVED WITH JDRF (AS A FAMILY)? 3+ years
HAVE YOU EVER BEEN TO GINGERBREAD VILLAGE? Yes, I have volunteered at GBV.
DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE THEME OR GINGERBREAD CREATION FROM THE PAST? Despicable Me.
WHAT ELSE WOULD YOU LIKE TO SAY ABOUT TYPE 1 DIABETES OR GINGERBREAD VILLAGE? Diabetes is annoying and Gingerbread Village is fun because you get to look at the gingerbread houses and help raise money for diabetes research.Emily Spencer Age 12 HOW HAS DIABETES AFFECTED YOUR LIFE? It affected my life by having a lot more things to worry about with my brother and sister.
WHY ARE YOU EXCITED TO BE A GINGERBREAD VILLAGE ELF? Because it will be fun, and I get to do it with my siblings.
WHY DID YOU PICK YOUR GINGERBREAD CASTLE? Because I like the water.
DO YOU HAVE ANY HOBBIES? Soccer, dance, volleyball, and drawing.
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN INVOLVED WITH JDRF (AS A FAMILY)? 3+ years
HAVE YOU EVER BEEN TO GINGERBREAD VILLAGE? Yes, I have volunteered at GBV.
DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE THEME OR GINGERBREAD CREATION FROM THE PAST? I liked the Polar Express.
WHAT ELSE WOULD YOU LIKE TO SAY ABOUT TYPE 1 DIABETES OR GINGERBREAD VILLAGE? I hope that they find a cure for Type 1 Diabetes soon!
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Rylee Stark |
