The Clanton Advertiser

Supporters of 23-month-old Jacob Jones of Jemison will have another chance to help him and his family as he continues to be treated for a rare disease.

A benefit yard sale for Jacob will be held Aug. 3 and 4 off Highway 31 beside Ward’s Diner in Thorsby.

Jacob, the son of Justin and Erica Jones, was diagnosed with Tay-Sachs, a rare genetic disorder, when he was only 14 months old last October.

He and his parents now travel to Minnesota every three months for his treatments and medication.

“We do different things to try to raise money for him,” said Bette Lowery, Jacob’s grandmother. “This is their only child. This is my only grandchild.”

Lowery said she will start the yard sale at 6 a.m. both days and will end it after the last person leaves.

“I won’t stop until they stop coming,” she said. “I’m not putting a time limit. I’m just there to help them out.”

Items for sale will include furniture, TVs, clothing, books and toys.

Drawings will be held for Auburn and Alabama purses. Entries for the drawings are $1 each.

In addition, people can leave monetary donations for Jacob in a donation jar at the yard sale. They can also donate online at https://www.wepay.com/donations/139254 or contribute to Jacob’s trust fund at ServisFirst Bank.

On Aug. 3, Ward’s Diner will donate 10 percent of patrons’ bills, upon request, to Jacob’s family.

“We’ve been very blessed with the donations,” Lowery said. “The community has really come out.”

Lowery said Jacob is currently the only case of Tay-Sachs in Alabama.

The disease causes a fatty substance to build up in the brain tissue and reach toxic levels, thus affecting nerve cells.

Although no cure has been found yet, medication can help slow a patient’s digression.