The Press-Dispatch
Issue link: http://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/1331323
The Press-Dispatch Wednesday, Januar y 20, 2021 C-5 Press-Dispatch 905 Vincennes Ave., Petersburg Call Today and $ave! HVAC manufacturers have announced a price increase in equipment beginning Feb. 1, 2021. WHATEVER IT TAKES. If you're thinking of replacing your system, give us a call now and beat the increase. Get a complete high-efficiency hea ng and air condi oning system, including digital thermostat and high-efficiency air filter, for under $150/month. * Ask us for details on available financing op ons. *with approved credit Family celebrates daughter's memory with donation to Ronald McDonald house By Janice Barniak Every year, the family of Jo- zlin Ashby remembers the in- fant on her birthday by mak- ing a meal at the Ronald Mc- Donald House that supports Riley Children's Hospital. With coronavirus, the house is minimizing the people al- lowed inside because those staying there interact with very sick children, making the risk to them high, so in- stead, the family will drop off much-needed supplies to support other families that are living at the home while their children recover. Jozlin's mother, Brandy Bota, of Princeton, and her father, Josh Ashby, of Pe- tersburg, remember vividly Feb. 9, 2007, when their in- fant daughter was born, and the Valentine's Day Lifeflight that took the sick infant to Ri- ley Children's Hospital. She was diagnosed with a genetic disorder that had se- vere complications, impair- ing her sight and hearing, and causing her to be born with- out nostrils—doctors cre- ated nostrils for the child to breathe. "Some were surprised she lived as long as she did," said Bota. "Having her made me a different person. I look at life differently because of her, and I always want to make her proud." While Jozlin died, the fam- ily was grateful for the four and a half months they had with the child, facilitated by the Ronald McDonald House. "The don't ask you to pay anything, but on her birthday, we would go serve lunch, and put up her picture to say 'This is in memory of my daugh- ter.'" They gave small gifts every year. This year, Jozlin would have been 14 years old, and while Brandy has remar- ried and has a son, she keeps the memory of her daugh- ter alive, from hanging her Christmas stocking to visit- ing her grave. "My family knows I'm com- fortable talking about it now. Everyone was on tiptoes at first, but to me, I would rath- er them say her name. I had three miscarriages before her. She was a miracle baby. I know she's in a better place," she said. The Ronald McDonald House needs animal crackers, fruit cups, breakfast granola bars, canned pasta, cookies, jelly and jam, trail mixes or nuts, chips, juice boxes, sug- ar packets, pasta meals, crack- ers, protein shakes, pudding cups, microwaveable meals, powdered coffee creamer, powdered drink mixes, cloth face masks, dryer sheets, gas cards, gift cards, light bulbs, notepads, pens, stamps, san- itizer, puzzle books, blan- kets for queen and twin beds, shower curtain liners, tissues, women's clothing, air freshen- ers, disposable gloves, liquid hand soap, laundry detergent, Lysol spray and wipes, Swiffer wet jet refills, non-disposable cereal bowls, dishwasher tab- lets, Zip-lock bags, or any- thing else people would like to donate. The drive has a no-contact porch drop box at 807 S. Main St. in Princeton, and another box with Jozlin's Ashby side of the family in Petersburg, at The Caddyshack, with Ce- cily Ashby. People can also order on Amazon and ship items di- rectly to the Ronald McDon- ald House. The family will drive dona- tions up on Jozlin's birthday. "To do this in honor of her and keep my mind busy that day is perfect," Bota said. In a photo from 14 years ago, Jozlin Ashby is held by mother Brandy Bota, of Princeton, and father Josh Ash- by, of Petersburg. Brandy Bota with her daughter, Jozlin Ashby, who lived less than a year, but in whose memory the fam- ily is collecting donations for the Ronald McDonald House.