BY PHIL CUSTODIO
Clarkston News Editor
For Jada Mcdonald’s youngest son, Christmas dreams this year included a tree with nothing underneath.
Several Clarkston-area residents are working to make sure that doesn’t happen.
“I know toys aren’t the only thing important for Christmas, but he’s 8 years old,” said Mcdonald, whose story has spread on social media and ended up on the Facebook page Positively Clarkston. “He wanted a bed. He has a twin size bed, but on the top of the list, it said ‘bed.’ I scratched it out because there was no way I could have gotten it.”
Facebookers donated the loft bed her son wanted, along with another bed for her 11-year-old son, bedroom set for her 5-year-old daughter, kitchen table, and other items.
Robin Hall of Clarkston is hoping for more, and is organizing a gift drive with presentation on Friday, Dec. 20, from 5-8 p.m. at Waypoint Church, 8400 Dixie Highway.
“I read about it on Positively Clarkston, and I said, we should adopt this family for Christmas as a community,” Hall said. “I told her I can’t guarantee what she’ll get, but I’ll do my best.”
“They’re so happy. They’re so very happy,” Mcdonald said. “It’s been a real presentation on Friday, Dec. 20, from 5-8 p.m. at Waypoint Church, 8400 Dixie Highway.
“I read about it on Positively Clarkston, and I said, we should adopt this family for Christmas as a community,” Hall said. “I told her I can’t guarantee what she’ll get, but I’ll do my best.”
“It’s amazing,” Mcdonald said. “I’m just thankful for Robin because I know they’ll get toys for Christmas. It’s been a real blessing. We’ve been blessed this year.”
Financial troubles for the Grand Blanc family, Juston and Jada Mcdonald and their three children, are due to medical issues.
“Four years ago I was diagnosed with kidney disease,” Jada said. “Nobody knew what was wrong with me because I lived in a small town, so nobody had ever seen anything like what I had. Only when I came to Michigan and went to the University of Michigan (last year) did they find out I had kidney cancer and kidney disease, and then that I needed a transplant.”
Juston, who had just joined the Army National Guard after eight years in the U.S. Navy, had himself tested and found he was a perfect match for his wife.
“He was my only tester and my only match,” Jada said. “I was like, I won’t be mad if you don’t want to do it so you can still go to the military. And he said, no, I’ll do it and still try to stay in the military, if they keep me. So, I’ve just been really blessed.”
Their surgery was a couple of months ago.
“For me, it was a miracle,” Jada said. “After a while, the doctors were saying it was like I was born with the kidney.”
Juston suffered complications, however, symptoms of which didn’t manifest until two days after his discharge from the hospital.

“So after, what seemed like a successful surgery and looking forward to a quick recovery, my husband looked sicker than ever,” Jada said. “He began to feel sick and we both agreed for him to return to be seen at the hospital. Within an hour of being seen, he was sent back for emergency surgery to repair an internal injury incurred during the surgery. That was pretty scary.”
Surgery took six hours, and he had to remain hospitalized for another three weeks. During the majority of his stay, he was unable to eat or drink and he remained on a machine that pumped any and all fluid from his stomach.
“Although things were looking bleak, we were taught to always remain in prayer. And it was also a blessing that we had family nearby to help us with the children and to pray with us,” Jada said. “My husband has made it home and is becoming more and more active. He is still trying to be medically cleared to return to the Michigan Army National Guard.”
Juston’s donated kidney is working fine, Jada said.
“I feel amazing,” she said. “It’s just like a total 360 because last year, I didn’t know what was going to happen.”
Needs and wish lists are available at Signupgenius.com; or search “A Christmas Miracle for A Local Serviceman & His Family” on Facebook.
Needs list items include hats and gloves; boys’ boots or shoes size 7 and men’s 10.5; space heaters; footie pajamas, size girl 6, boy 12, and boy 16 or men’s medium; blankets; books; pajamas; and bathroom items. Wish list items include snow blower, science experiment kits, and toys.
“I’m sure they can use non-perishable food and gift cards. They have a huge amount of medical bills,” Hall said.
Waypoint Church is providing their facility without charge, she said.
“We’re just really grateful. It seems like our life is finally turning around after paying medical bills for so long, then also I couldn’t work,” said Jada, who started a new job at Bishop Airport last week. “Christmas is a blessing. So this has just been a miracle.”