An entrepreneurial idea from the heart of one West Chester family is filling a funding gap for the education of children with special needs by filling Jesse’s Jars with creative combinations of quality local products — from the makers of artwork, candles, T-shirts, sauces and more.

“It’s a simple way to give a special and loving gift. Choose a jar, choose a product, choose a lid, write a note and ship it off,” founder Tom Hudzina (above) said in a recent post for Walnut St. Labs.

The idea first took shape following a visit to his 7-year-old son Jesse’s class.

“Man! Kids with disabilities need kids without disabilities, and kids without disabilities need kids with disabilities, because kids with disabilities have something to offer too,” he said. “What if we could communicate this need for one another to the community and increase the resources available for people who care for children with disabilities?

“… Nobody seems to be thinking, ‘How do we close this (special needs funding) gap?’ Instead, they focus on new Mac computers or a big field trip or playground equipment. Very rarely you find anybody particularly interested in the one class in every elementary school that has kids with special needs in it.”

Read more about the newest special needs fundraising initiative from Walnut St. Labs’ startup incubator here.

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Photo’s courtesy of Walnut St. Labs.