A pendant and pin made by Joy Jackson Joy Jackson uses her tragedies and her creativity to raise money for the Ronald McDonald House. She sells her handmade jewelry to give back. Each piece has a tiny star in memory of a family member she has lost. The Ronald McDonald House opened its doors to Jackson's son David Reis and his wife Stephanie when their seven- year- old daughter was ill with leukemia.

That is not the only tragedy Jackson has had.

In 1987, Jackson's first husband, Bill Reis, was stabbed to death at Reis Gold and Exchange on Rosewood Drive.

This year on May 18 Jackson's three grandchildren and her daughterin- law were killed in a fire in their apartment in Byron, New York. The two girls, Emily Joy Reis and Virginia Jean Reis, had come home from college to begin working for the summer. Timothy Allyn Reis was a junior in high school. Sherrie Reis, Jackson's daughter- in- law, was once married to her son David. Timothy called 911 when the fire started, but he was engulfed in smoke before anyone could save him.

Jackson said she got the idea of the stars from her granddaughter Emily who was the star gazer in the family. Making the jewelry gives her comfort. She hopes people will see it, buy some, or at least help support the Ronald Mc- Donald House.

Jackson is married to Claude Gale Jackson Jr. Recently, Jackson has been diagnosed with leukemia.