the heart of the pack award
The Heart of the Pack Award is given to individuals and organizations who embody the spirit of Jack’s heart—resilient, loving, and supportive. It recognizes those who lead with kindness, show up for others, and face life’s hardest moments with courage and compassion. These are the people who make the world better, one act of love at a time.
lauren truslow
In May 2025, we had the honor of presenting the very first Heart of the Pack Award to Lauren Truslow, owner of barre3 Columbia. Lauren embodies everything this award stands for—kindness, courage, and unwavering support. She has been a constant source of strength for our family since Jack’s diagnosis, showing up in ways both seen and unseen. From rallying her community to embracing our mission, Lauren has led with heart, offering love not just to Jack, but to so many who need it. The Heart of the Pack Award was created to recognize individuals who lead with compassion and resilience—people who make others feel seen, valued, and supported, no matter how heavy the moment. Lauren was the first of three inaugural recipients, and she set the tone beautifully. In a world that can feel overwhelming, Lauren reminds us what it looks like to be the kind of person Jack would look up to. The kind of person who runs toward others with love.
sheriff leon lott
In May 2025, we had the privilege of presenting a Heart of the Pack Award to Sheriff Leon Lott of Richland County. Sheriff Lott has been a steadfast presence in Jack’s life—from the moment he honorarily swore Jack in as a deputy, to the quiet, genuine ways he’s continued to offer support. His leadership is marked not only by his service to the community, but by the heart with which he serves. He reminds us that true strength is found in compassion, and that courage often looks like showing up for the most vulnerable among us. This award was created to honor people who lead with love, resilience, and kindness—the very qualities Jack teaches us every day. Sheriff Lott embodies those values in how he leads his department, treats his people, and welcomed Jack into the RCSD family with open arms. His words that day echoed what so many of us feel: “Jack does not allow his limitations to affect his spirit, heart, and love for others. He is an inspiration to all who wear this uniform and beyond.” Sheriff Lott, thank you for showing this community what it means to lead with both strength and heart.
lake murray elementary school
In May 2025, we presented a Heart of the Pack Award to Lake Murray Elementary School—an extraordinary place that has wrapped its arms around Jack and our entire family. This school isn’t just a building—it’s a community of teachers, staff, and students who lead with love every single day. From the administrators who’ve fought to ensure Jack has what he needs, to the classmates who include him, cheer for him, and walk beside him, Lake Murray has been a model of what it means to show up for a child and for a family walking an unimaginably hard road. The Heart of the Pack Award was created to honor those who embody the spirit of Jack’s heart—courageous, loving, and endlessly supportive. Lake Murray Elementary lives out that mission daily. Whether it’s creating a safe learning space, adapting with compassion to Jack’s changing needs, or celebrating his milestones with joy and pride, this school has been a light in our lives. When we walked into the auditorium to present the award, surrounded by third graders wearing their safety patrol belts and Jack’s past and present teachers, it was clear: this school is family.