Not 4gotten Foundation Vision: 

On February 19, 2008, the families of the JO'S (Javens, Olson’s and Stevens) were changed forever when the school bus carrying their children home was struck and hit by an illegal alien who ran a stop sign.  Four of their children (Hunter Javens, Jesse Javens, Emilee Olson, and Reed Stevens) were killed that day, forever leaving a hole in their families’ hearts.  From the JO'S families, there are seven additional siblings of which four were also on the bus that day.  The JO'S family also comprises four half-siblings who are all adults. All of the JO'S siblings that were bus passengers that day were physically hurt.  Two required hospitalization, and two needed further medical care.  Although these families knew each other prior to this event, a true bond was formed on that evening forging these 3 distinct families into one large family, called the JO'S.  This family, forever marked by a tragedy, was determined to not only survive but also to thrive in the grieving process.  From the onset of their grieving, they were committed to having their children remembered for who they were and not for how they died.

The incredible outpouring of support for these families (as well as for the families of other bus children) prompted them to look at what is valuable and important in life and to evaluate what legacy did they want left for all of their children, most especially Hunter, Jesse, Emilee and Reed.  Through the care and support of people around the world, their home state of Minnesota, and most definitely, their small community, the JO'S decided to form a foundation to honor the lives of 4 vibrant, talented and loving children.  The personalities, likes, and interests of these 4 children were dichotomously different, but there was one thing they all had in common.  Each of those 4 children had a mother and a father that loves them.  Buoyed by the continued support they have received, the JO'S formed the Not 4gotten Foundation to support other grieving families in the state of Minnesota.  The focus of the foundation is to offer a token of care for Mother's Day and Father's Day, a day that is often difficult when your child dies.  Through their faith in God, the love of others, determination, and support of each other, the JO'S continue to walk in the shoes that no one wanted to wear, those of a grieving family.