St. Joseph’s/Candler’s 84,000 square-foot campus, located on Pooler Parkway and I-16, combines hightech, digital technology and a high-touch friendly atmosphere for an unparalleled customer experience that completely re-imagines healthcare.
• Specialty Care Physicians (Bone, Joint & Muscle Care, Cardiology, Adult and Pediatric ENT, Neurology, OB/GYN, Podiatry, Vascular Surgery)
• Independent Physician Practices (Gastroenterology Consultants of Savannah, Metro Surgical, Neurological Institute of Savannah, Most Plastic Surgery)
• Physical Therapy
• Occupational Therapy
• Lab Draw Station
Based on high-tech innovations, convenience and the high-quality compassionate care that one has come to expect from St. Joseph’s/Candler, the Pooler campus redefines the patient experience and takes smart medicine to a whole new level. Visit us online at sjchs.org/pooler-campus.
PARENT COMMUNICATION
With the Procare Parent connect, parents communicate with the teaching staff in real time to receive updates about classroom activities, program happening and photos of your child at play and learning.
CAMERA ACCESS
Through a partnership with "Watch Me Grow," parents have camera access to their child’s classroom. Each classroom has two cameras so parents can get a peek at their little one any time throughout the day. We believe in open access throughout the day, which gives parents piece of mind.
GEORGIA’S QUALITY RATED
We have enthusiastically taken on the commitment to continuously enhance the support we provide to children and families. Our focus is on maintaining a culture of quality across all our programs, with Quality Rated playing a pivotal role. Our objective in achieving Quality Rated status involves not only meeting but surpassing a clearly defined set of program standards.
GEORGIA PRE-KINDERGARTEN PROGRAM
We have been awarded a Lottery Pre-K program. The mission of Georgia’s Pre-K program is to prepare children for success in kindergarten and beyond, and the first goal in National Education is that “all children will start school ready to learn.” We are proud to be part of this mission.
PUBLISHER
Jan Southern Jan@JDelSURMarketing.com 912-318-8645
CLIENT SERVICES
Christie Wilson, Director of Advertising Christie@JDelSURMarketing.com
Kim Schippel, Account Manager Kim@JDelSURMarketing.com
OFFICE MANAGER
Chris Antonio
DESIGN
Laura Zielinski
DISTRIBUTION
Penny Redmond
Pooler Magazine is proudly produced by:
135 Goshen Rd Ext., Suite 251, Rincon, GA 31326 (912) 295-5406 PoolerMagazine.com
J. DelSUR Marketing Group is the publisher of Effingham Magazine, Pooler Magazine and Bryan County Magazine in South Georgia. We are a full service marketing agency with products that include print, digital and social media marketing.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Write and tell us what you think. Pooler Magazine welcomes all letters to the editor. Please send letters to Jan Southern at Jan@JDelSURMarketing.com. Letters to the editor must have a phone number and name of contact. Phone numbers will not be published.
ARTICLE SUBMISSIONS
Pooler Magazine welcomes story ideas from our readers. If you have a story idea or photos to share, please submit ideas and material to Jan Southern at Jan@JDelSURMarketing.com. Stories or ideas for stories must be submitted by email. Only feature stories and photo essays about people, places or things in the Pooler area will be considered.
CIRCULATION: Pooler Magazine is published bi-monthly and distributed to hundreds of locations throughout the area, as well as mailed to thousands of homes. The full magazine is available online at PoolerMagazine.com.
Views expressed in editorial or advertising do not imply endorsement by J. DelSUR Marketing Group.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any manner without the written permission of the publisher is strictly prohibited.
PUBLISHER’S THOUGHTS
Shop Local
Shopping local isn’t just about convenience—it’s about investing in the people and businesses that make Pooler the thriving community we’re proud to call home.
This issue celebrates that connection. On page 20 you’ll find our Publisher’s Picks highlighting exceptional local products and services, plus valuable insights to help you discover and support the businesses that strengthen our local economy. Every dollar you spend with a Pooler business circulates back into our schools, parks, and neighborhoods. That’s the power of shopping local.
We’re still buzzing from the Best of Pooler celebration on October 16th. The energy and pride that filled that evening reminded us why we do what we do. You’ll see photos in the Happenings section on page 36 capturing the enthusiasm of a night of celebration and a little dancing too! Congratulations again to all our winners—you represent the best of Pooler.
Our cover story features Joe Marchese, whose impact extends far beyond his successful construction company. Joe’s dedication to creating a better world for individuals with Down syndrome demonstrates what true community leadership looks like. His story is a powerful reminder that business success and giving back aren’t separate pursuits—they’re two sides of the same commitment to building something meaningful.
As you flip through these pages, you’ll see businesses owned by your neighbors, staffed by people you know, and dedicated to serving this community. They’re here because of you. This holiday season and beyond, I encourage you to shop local first. Your support makes a real difference.
Thank you for being part of the Pooler community.
CEO/Publisher Pooler Magazine
Jan Southern
You pay your dental insurance premiums all year long. That's money you've set aside for your health. But here’s something many people don't realize: Most dental insurance plans have an annual maximum that does not roll over into the new year.
Any unused benefits from 2025 will disappear forever after December 31 . That means if you've been putting off a checkup, a cleaning, or other needed dental work, now is the perfect time to act. st
Don't leave money on the table that could be invested in your health and your smile.
Your 2025 Dental Benefits Expire on December 31st. Don't Let Your Hard-Earned Money Go to Waste.
Maximize Your Paid Premiums You've already paid for these benefits. Using them isn't an extra cost—it's getting the full value you are entitled to.
Your Deductible May Be Met
If you've already met your deductible for 2025, your out-ofpocket expenses for treatment will be significantly lower. This deductible will reset on January 1st, meaning you'll have to pay it all over again before your insurance kicks in next year.
Prevent Costlier Problems Later Taking care of a minor issue today can prevent it from becoming a more complex and expensive procedure in 2026. Enter the new year with a healthy, confident smile.
Put Your Benefits Toward a Healthier Smile
Your remaining benefits can cover a wide range of preventive and restorative treatments. Now is the time for:
Routine Cleanings & Exams
Fillings for Cavities
Dental Crowns or Bridges
Gum Disease Treatment
Root Canal Therapy
Consultations for Implants or Invisalign®
Our team will help you understand your coverage and create a treatment plan that makes the most of your remaining insurance benefits.
Joe Marchese is Building a Better World
Story by Cindy Reid |
Photography by Thomas Reimer
Joe Marchese, a builder by trade and a passionate advocate by calling, has spent decades erecting not just physical structures, but also foundations for inclusivity and opportunity. His journey started in the demanding world of commercial construction and was forever changed by a deeply personal event. Today, alongside his family, he leads a powerful movement for people with disabilities in the Savannah/Lowcountry area, championing a future where everyone is seen, supported, and given a chance to thrive.
Deep Roots
Marchese’s story is one of generations built on hard work. His grandfather, an immigrant from Sicily, arrived in 1915 and became a stone mason, bricklayer, and plasterer. That tradition of building continued with his father, a home builder and mechanical contracting superintendent. Joe himself, after graduating with a film and photography degree from the University of Massachusetts in Boston, briefly pursued a creative career in California before returning to his roots in the trades. However, it was love, not a career, that brought him to the South. After marrying Molly, a “beautiful southern girl,” the couple moved to Springfield, where they have lived for 23 years.
Marchese’s professional path mirrors his family’s, with a career in commercial construction that includes projects from warehouses to medical offices. He views each project as a “four-dimensional puzzle” that becomes a fifth dimension when you add in the personalities of everyone involved. For him, the deep relationships built with clients over decades are just as rewarding as the tangible results of his labor.
A Personal Calling to Advocacy
The defining moment of Joe and Molly’s lives occurred 20 years ago with the birth of their daughter, Ella, who has Down syndrome. “Your life changes when you get married, when you have children, and when you have a child with special needs,” he reflects. This event ignited their passion for advocacy, transforming their family life and shaping their life’s work.
The Marchese family’s journey into community leadership began with a simple connection. In 2006, their doctor, Ben Spitalnick, introduced them to three other families of children with Down syndrome: John and Candy Bogardus, Bobby and Wendy Fears, and Brian and Pam Hussey. What began as a small, informal gathering in Dr. Spitalnick’s office quickly evolved into a formal organization. This small group of parents saw a need and created the Lowcountry Down Syndrome Society (LDSS), a family support group for those in the greater Savannah area.
Today, the LDSS celebrates its upcoming 20th anniversary and extends its reach to eight surrounding counties, providing regular meetings with guest speakers and social time for families to connect. The LDSS is dedicated to inclusion, education, and advocacy, and is an affiliate of the National Down Syndrome Society.
Expanding the Vision of Inclusion
To celebrate workplace inclusion, Joe Marchese co-founded the Night of Champions, an annual event that honors local businesses that hire people with disabilities. The event is a celebration of the “incredible value” these individuals bring to the community.
Marchese challenges businesses to make the hiring of people with special needs a “seamless integration” and strives for a community where everyone truly feels they belong.
Molly, formerly an ICU nurse, has also dedicated her life to advocacy, becoming a job coach for people with special needs. She is the founder of Buddies and Blessings, a 501(c)(3) organization that focuses on the three major stumbling blocks for people with special needs: transportation, housing,
The Marchese family and their organizations serve as a testament to the power of unconditional love and the belief that every individual deserves a place to belong.
and employment. “Those are the three major stumbling blocks—what do you do for work, where do you live, and how do you get to work,” Joe explains. By addressing these barriers, the organization helps young adults and high school students with disabilities avoid graduating “to the couch” and instead find their place in the workforce.
Buddies and Blessings recently hosted a taco dinner and talent show, showcasing the skills of its participants and proving that patience can reveal incredible abilities.
A Call to Action and a Family’s Legacy
Joe’s message to the community is simple but profound: “Do anything. Show up, volunteer, and don’t be surprised or disappointed. Show up again.” He believes that continued effort will eventually lead to a “transformative moment” where one’s perspective shifts from “us and them” to a single, unified community. He also stresses the importance of teaching children that everyone is different, but fundamentally the same.
The Marchese family’s legacy continues to grow. Their daughter Ella, now 20, works as an office assistant at Rincon Elementary. Their daughter Katie is a Georgia Tech graduate living in Washington, D.C., working for the U.S. Chamber of
Commerce, and their youngest daughter, Lucy, is a senior at the STEM Academy at Effingham High School. Joe and Molly are very proud of their three daughters and what they have accomplished while remaining grounded and loving individuals. “We want them to love God, love their family, and be a productive member of society. My job is to help them, but they get to choose and live their own lives.”
The Marchese family are what Joe calls “church people and people people. It’s simple—I love God and I love people.”
A Magical Place in Tennessee
While the Marcheses have built an incredible network of support and advocacy in the Lowcountry, they also have a cherished escape: the Riverwood Christian Community in Tennessee. Operated by Ability Ministry, a non-profit organization, Riverwood is a special place for families with special needs children. Joe Marchese refers to it as “a magical place for us.”
It provides an environment that challenges and empowers individuals with special needs to become more independent. “Families with special needs kids tend to enable, and we wait on them long after it’s needed,” Joe observes. At Riverwood, individuals like their daughter
Ella are given new responsibilities and opportunities to grow.
Riverwood fosters a sense of community and purpose through various activities. For example, during a school leadership event on campus, teams work together to prepare and clean up after a meal. This structure provides valuable life skills and encourages teamwork, but it is also a place where Ella can thrive. She is a provider of services to others with special needs, and her growth is a source of great pride for her parents.
For Joe, Riverwood is a unique haven. “It is everything I love all in one place,” he explains, highlighting the community, inclusion, and empowerment that the center provides. It is a place that celebrates and supports the potential of every individual, reminding the Marchese family of the broader vision for inclusion that they work so hard to achieve at home.
Reflecting on his journey, Joe shares that he is a “better person” for having children, and “definitely better for becoming part of a special needs community.” His ultimate goal is to “change the world by loving people unconditionally,” and he offers a reminder that if you have met one person with special needs, you have only met one person. The Marchese family and their organizations serve as a testament to the power of unconditional love and the belief that every individual deserves a place to belong. ■
Lowcountry Down Syndrome Society Events
Buddy Walk
The first Buddy Walk took place at Forsyth Park in downtown Savannah in October 2006, with nearly 1,600 people supporting Down syndrome awareness. For the last few years, over 5,000 people have regularly attended the annual walk.
NIGHT OF CHAMPIONS
LDSS hosts an annual Night of Champions in May. This community event recognizes area businesses that employ differently abled adults, including those with Down syndrome, and celebrates the contributions made by these employees.
CAMP BUDDY
Camp Buddy provides physical, occupational, and speech therapies for children with Down syndrome. The camp promotes the retention of the educational accomplishments that children have made during the school year by bridging the summer months to the upcoming school year. They had approximately 40 participants at both the Effingham and Savannah camps this year.
The Corner Table
Pooler & Chatham County
by Gail Mihalik
Pooler is such a growing community with so many options for dining. I like to find the places where the locals eat, because they always know the best spots in town. I would like to share a couple of those unique spots I sampled.
If you’ve ever found yourself wandering Pooler, wondering where the locals truly eat, let me share a little secret that might just make your tastebuds sing. Chazito’s, tucked away at 217 US 80, is one of those rare treasures you may hear about only through the grapevine, or perhaps from a chance encounter with its warm-hearted owner, Chaz himself. Whether you stumble upon it by accident or spot it on TV, this spot is worth seeking out for the simple joy of great food and friendly company.
On my last visit — a Super Bowl Sunday, no less — I ventured inside this cozy eatery that seats just 24, yet welcomes all with a generous outdoor area (even your furry companions are invited to join). Craving football fare, I ordered the chicken nachos. I was delighted to discover the chicken was exquisitely tender and seasoned just enough to shine alongside crisp homemade chips, gooey cheddar, creamy queso, and a lively mango salsa, all crowned with the magical “Chaz sauce.” Every bite felt like a celebration.
But that’s just the beginning! The Puerto Rican plate is a festival of authentic flavors, starring roasted pork, red beans and rice, and a cole slaw with a clever twist of mango and coconut. Tempted for more? Don’t skip unique creations like the Sloppy Jose, Triple Monster, or Juan Pepe.
And for dessert, dear reader, the Coquito Cheesecake is a sweet reminder of Puerto Rico — coconut and cinnamon swirl together in a dish so creamy and delicious, it’s sure to spark joy.
So if you’re searching for food that’s fun, flavorful, and served with a side of Pooler hospitality, Chazito’s is more than worth the stop. Bring your friends, bring your pets — and bring your appetite.
Hungrily yours,
Home Features:
• Attached 1 or 2 car garage • White Shaker-style cabinetry
The holiday season is magical. And exhausting. This time of year is a wild blend of joy and borderline madness, of gratitude and grit. Equal parts pumpkin pie and panic. It’s the season of giving…and giving up and ordering pizza because you forgot to thaw dinner. Again.
It kicks off with Thanksgiving, or as my teenager now calls it, “the thing getting in the way of Christmas.” Halloween candy just landed in the pantry when she busts out a Christmas sweatshirt and asks where the stockings are. Bless her holly jolly heart. I’m still clinging to Thanksgiving. Barely.
Whether we’re hosting or packing up for the in-laws, there’s always a last-minute grocery run, a missing pie crust, and a fight over why I want everything color-coordinated. I imagine a Norman Rockwell scene. What we get is more like a group project: no clear leader, lots of carbs, and me quietly panicking about the sweet potatoes.
Then, in a blink, the pressure to deck the halls kicks in. In our house, that means peeling paper turkeys off the fridge and panicking when the neighbors already have lights up. Last year I suggested we go full Pinterest, white lights, matte ornaments, velvet ribbon. All four kids proclaimed: “We like our old decorations.” I melted.
Because our tree, chaotic and glitter bombed, is ours. Bent pipe cleaner reindeer, chubby baby photo ornaments, one bulb that always blinks too fast. Hanging lights, laughing about what always falls off, that’s the tradition. Not the perfection. That’s the stuff that sticks.
And then there’s the Christmas tree. My husband and I rarely argue, except at the tree lot. Every year. He swears any tree over $100 is a scam. I want one that looks like it came out of a Hallmark movie. The kids pick a favorite while we circle trees, muttering. Eventually, we compromise: a tree just over his budget and just under my expectations. Tradition.
Getting it set up? Always a mess. He’s on the floor wrestling with screws. I’m pretending to be helpful while dodging pine needles. Mariah Carey’s on blast. The tree leans like it’s had
one too many coquitos. Nothing says holiday spirit like yelling “IS IT STRAIGHT NOW?” every 12 seconds.
I want to be the mom with curated Christmas bins and a gift spreadsheet, sipping peppermint mochas while pulling perfectly wrapped presents from a year-round stash. But I’m the mom panic-scrolling at midnight, praying expedited shipping saves Christmas without wrecking the budget.
And then there’s the Elf. That smug little spy. Every year starts strong, zip lines, flour snow angels, marshmallow scenes. Then I forget to move him. For days.
Still, I wouldn’t trade it. We’re juggling magic for the youngest while protecting it for the older ones. In our house, we don’t say Santa out loud unless we’re ready to play highstakes truth or consequences. The rule is: don’t believe, don’t receive. We don’t mess with magic distribution.
Another rule is: we don’t travel for Christmas. I want my kids to wake up in their own home and see their tree. It’s sacred, even if it comes with sugar crashes, sibling fights, and batteries not included. It matters. All of it.
Because even with the chaos, the forgotten elf, the crooked tree, the mismatched socks, there’s beauty. I may not have an Instagram worthy porch, but I show up. I wrap gifts in a hurry. I forget the elf, but I never forget the hot chocolate after we decorate. I might not have it all together, but somehow, I hold it all together. That’s the grit.
And the gratitude? It sneaks in between the glitter mess and the late-night wrapping. In the way my son still gets excited for Santa. In the way my daughters buy each other gifts without being asked. In knowing these traditions are sticking, even if the elf sometimes isn’t.
The kids won’t remember the chaos. They’ll remember the lights. The smells. The laughter. The tree that leans but holds every memory we’ve made.
So, here’s to the moms doing the juggle. The tired ones still trying. The ones running on coffee, chaos, and three kinds of pie. We are the magic makers. Even if the magic sometimes shows up last minute…and says the elf is on a break.
Sponsored by
Photograph by Kari Anne Garcia
Kris Shuman Brings Genuine Southern Storytelling to the Big Screen
Story by Katrice Williams
I’m uniquely Southern to the bone. I want to bring authentic Southern storytelling to the big screen…” says Kris Shuman.
Kris, a screenwriter and producer, is chief executive officer and co-founder of Bad Bella Films. The production company’s mission is “to create work that resonates deeply, sparks conversation, and lingers long after the credits roll.” Kris brings a genuine taste of the South to film as only a true born-and-bred Georgian could do. With roots deep within the Effingham soil, he is Georgia proud.
Film Projects
Kris has been producing and developing several films. “The Last Stop” is an animated short film about an elderly man who prepares for what seems like his final journey—until an unexpected encounter at a mystical bus terminal reshapes how he meets death.
“Wilder” is a feature film where a Southern single mom impersonates a journalist to land the interview of a lifetime with a reclusive racing legend, forcing her to confront the truth about who she is and who she wants to become.
“Who Stole the Head of Bobbi Dupree” is a feature film set in 1876 Indian territory where a bounty hunter and a ruthless rogue chase a severed head rumored to contain a map to buried Confederate gold.
Kris is also working on the pilot for a television series, “What’s Buried Beneath the Pines,” which is about a black sheep of a family, who inherits his father’s timber empire—and the blood-soaked legacy that comes with it. When Gray Harris returns home to bury his father, he uncovers a tangled web of land fights, old debts, and family secrets the town refuses to face.
The series’ proof-of-concept, “Family Tradition,” is in pre-production. “It is a tense,
intimate short set in the world of ‘What’s Buried Beneath the Pines,’ exploring the moments when family loyalty collides with long-kept secrets.”
Kris’ scripts have been recognized at major competitions: Austin Film Festival, Nashville Film Festival, PAGE International, Final Draft Big Break, Script Pipeline, and Outstanding Screenplays.
“I want to say how humbling it is to be gifted to live this life,” he said.
Homelessness and Addiction
Life was not always this way for Kris. He is a living testament that there is always hope beyond circumstances. Nearly four years ago, Kris was homeless in California and struggling with heroin addiction.
“In December 2021, I was living in a car in the parking lot of a Walmart in California for seven months,” he said.
Kris battled the addiction for years, which came along with experiencing bouts of homelessness. He went through treatment in January 2019 and moved to California in November 2020. Unfortunately, Kris relapsed in July 2021. In December 2021, barely five months after relapsing, Kris overdosed.
Persevering Past the Struggle
It seemed nearly impossible to break free from the clutch of addiction, but Kris was sick and tired of being sick and tired. He was determined to work toward treatment and real change. He marks his sobriety date as January 3, 2022.
“I’m a miracle. That Kris died in December 2021, and I was able to get my life turned around in January 2022. I just wanted to quit shooting heroin. I wanted to have a bed and maybe some toilet paper—those normal things that we take for granted,” he said.
“I want people to hear the name Kris Shuman and not associate it with my past ... I want people to believe that second chances exist. I want to be a testament to that.”
Throughout his struggles with addiction, however, there was one thing that remained constant: his love for writing. Kris worked toward writing novels. He later found that he was more passionate about writing screenplays. He was an excellent storyteller.
“I’d always had a bunch of stories in my mind that I wanted to tell, but I didn’t know how,” he stated.
Kris worked hard. He eventually purchased a laptop and began researching and studying screenwriting for himself. He persevered beyond what was imaginable.
In October 2022, Kris began writing his first screenplay. Determined to break through into the film arena, he established Bad Bella Films that same month.
The Real Storyteller
One of Kris’ biggest inspirations has always been his grandmother, Rossie Adams. She was the real storyteller in the family. Kris’ mom and dad, Kaye and Ashley Shuman, were entrepreneurs and often busy, so Kris recalls spending some weekends as a child with his grandma in Pembroke.
“She was like our family storyteller. She was born in 1919, and she had a ton of stories. She would write about the kind of adventures we would have when I was there. She would sit me on her knee and read those stories to me. I loved it, and I was enraptured by it. She taught me the power behind storytelling,” he said.
Family and the Films
Kris is excited to bring his stories to the big screen. His production team has been working tirelessly to develop “What’s Buried Beneath the Pines” and produce “Family Tradition.” The tone of the films is inspired by his own family dynamics, with characters loosely representing his relatives.
“A little bit of everybody and a little bit of Kris comes through. One part of my family is from Pembroke, and the other is from Effingham. In Effingham, 10 or 12 of us grew up on a 10-acre piece of property. Everybody knew everybody’s business, but they stayed out of it,” he joked.
“What’s Buried Beneath the Pines” is a Southern Gothic thriller set in the Georgia Lowcountry and pine forests. It is based out of Treutlen County where Kris’
Photograph by Kari Anne Garcia
granddad, Jimmie Morris, grew up. Kris has fond memories of time with his granddad there. He remembered the abundantly lucrative pine industry in that area. That is when his creative wheels started to turn; he wondered about the conflicts that could arise within a large, influential family with control of such a wealthy empire in the South. The series was born, taking viewers into the world of the Harris Family with all their menacing schemes and sinister motives.
“I wrote the pilot for the series, which is essentially episode one. It will eventually become a whole season, then multiple seasons. I’ve submitted ‘What’s Buried Beneath the Pines’ to tons of screenwriting competitions. It’s done very well,” he said.
With that series in development, Kris decided to write its proofof-concept, “Family Tradition,” which gives viewers a glance into the world of the series. “Family Tradition” is a stand-alone short, so viewers who know nothing about the series can still enjoy the short. Kris is excited to begin shooting it soon.
“That project is moving forward quickly. The dates are locked in for December 7-11. We’ll be filming in Pooler and Effingham. ‘Family Tradition’ explores generational trauma and the secrets families keep that keep them sick. It is about analyzing that and healing,” Kris said.
Gratitude
Kris knows that he would not be where he is today without the help and mercy of the Lord.
“I’m very grateful to God for the ability to be able to be here,” he said.
Kris is proud to work with local filmmakers and local talent; he strives to hire Georgia talent as much as possible.
“This is my first time doing this. The filmmakers in the Savannah area have been amazing and so supportive. They’ve been so willing to dive into this project with me and help,” he said.
He also appreciates the commitment and support of the talented cast. They are eager to help make everything a success.
One of the most beautiful stories that Kris could ever write would be that of him and his wife Timea. Timea is co-owner of Bad Bella Films.
“I don’t think I’ve had a healthy relationship in my entire life until I was sober. My relationship with Timea is based on real love and real connection. It’s the first time I’ve had someone tell me they believe in me, and I believe that. She is amazing, beautiful, smart and intelligent. I feel very blessed,” he said.
Kris is forever thankful for the love and support of his sister and his brother-in-law, Kasey and Kendall Wilson, along with his niece and two nephews.
“They’ve been an amazing support for me in my journey,” he said.
Overcoming the Odds
Kris encourages anyone battling drug addiction to seek immediate help because where there is a willingness to overcome, there is a way out. He does not take anything for granted, and he is driven to help others that feel like they are drowning in hopelessness due to addiction. He may be contacted at: www.krisshuman.com / @thekrisshuman.
“I want people to hear the name Kris Shuman and not associate it with my past. I want them to say, ‘He picked himself up, and if he can do it, I can do it too.’ I want people to believe that second chances exist. I want to be a testament to that,” he said. ■
Photograph by Kari Anne Garcia
Photograph by Charles Benoit
POOLER
Chatham Subaru Love’s Pets
Pooler Chamber of Commerce 2025 Regional Outlook Briefing
2025 West Chatham Y Trunk or Treat
A MIRACLE NAMED JEWEL
Story by Gail Parsons
When five-year-old Jewel’s Make-A-Wish moment came true, it wasn’t just a celebration of a little girl’s dream. It was a testament to survival, faith, and joy that doctors said would be impossible.
Her mother, Hannah Van Puffelen, still marvels at the life her daughter is living.
“She is a very, very lively little girl,” Hannah said. “She is so joyful. She smiles and laughs and is very aware of people, and she loves so hard. Doctors don’t know everything.
That’s not to say Jewel doesn’t have challenges. They are not naïve to that fact, but they just try to give her the most normal life possible and give her experiences.
Those experiences now include a wish granted by the Make-A-Wish Foundation, something the Van Puffelen family never dared to imagine in Jewel’s earliest days.
A Long Road to Motherhood
“Let me start from the beginning,” Hannah said. “First of all, she is named after my grandmother, Joel Hazel. She passed away last year, but she is named after her, Jewel Hazel.”
Early in their marriage, Hannah and her husband, Breck, were told they would probably have trouble conceiving.
“We said, we’re just gonna trust the Lord and … see what happens,” she said.
The couple started contemplating and exploring other options, like adoption or IVF. However, two years later, they received what Hannah calls “our first little miracle”—a positive pregnancy test.
When they learned they were expecting a girl, the name Jewel was already waiting. Their little miracle baby would be named after Hannah’s grandmother, Jewel Hazel. Hannah and Breck were thrilled and started planning to bring home their baby.
But joy quickly turned to fear at Hannah’s 20-week ultrasound, which was during the height of COVID-19. She went to her scheduled appointment alone, and much of that day is a blur.
They started with a routine procedure, and everything seemed normal. But then the doctor came in and told her
they weren’t going to do anything more that day and he needed to talk to her about the scan.
“The doctor realized then that there were some things that looked different,” she recalled. “He said, I think there’s something wrong with your baby. I felt completely devastated. All I had ever wanted was to be a wife and a mother.”
Her love for babies and children led her to teaching pre-kindergarten for several years — in that moment, it seemed like her dream was being snatched away from her.
Tests confirmed that Jewel had Trisomy 18, also known as Edwards Syndrome, a condition widely considered “incompatible with life.”
In an instant, all their plans and dreams changed. That night, the couple sat on the floor of the nursery and just cried.
“They told us that she would most likely not make it to birth, and if she did, that she would only live just a few hours,” Hannah said. “And then an even smaller percentage of that, that she makes it to her first birthday.”
She turned five on Sept. 24.
The reported median survival of patients with Edwards syndrome is only 4 days, and only 5–10% of the patients survive until 1 year of age — Jewel is approaching her fifth birthday.
“We made the decision during the pregnancy to give her any support that she needed medically,” she said.
Unfortunately, the level of care Hannah and Jewel needed was not available in Savannah. At 34 weeks, they moved temporarily to Atlanta. There Hannah underwent additional tests and ultrasounds and it was there they learned Jewel also had a heart defect and spina bifida.
“I had multiple hours-long scans … for them to gather as much information as they possibly could to be prepared for out delivery,” she said.
A Birth Full of Song
At 37 weeks, Hannah delivered Jewel by C-section.
“It was probably one of the scariest moments of my life, because we did not know what was going to happen,” she said.
But then the impossible happened—Jewel cried on her own.
“The doctor, when they pulled her out, she was crying and breathing on her own, which they said she would probably not do, and the doctor that delivered her… they all stopped and sang Happy Birthday to her. It was the sweetest thing.”
Jewel needed oxygen, and she still requires it today. But she was alive. A week later, she was still alive. Finally, just in time for Christmas, the Van Puffelens were able to bring their baby home.
A Miracle After Miracle
In her short life, Jewel has endured months in the NICU, heart surgery, pulmonary hypertension treatments, and countless hospital visits.
“Every single step in her story has just been, honestly, a miracle,” Hannah said. “Even in the hardest times, Jewel showed resilience. She pulls through every time, and she finds joy even in the moments when she’s very, very sick.”
Now, Jewel is a big sister to Magnolia, 2, and Ridge, 11 months. Though nonverbal, she makes herself heard.
“She always has a lot to say,” Hannah said. “She loves music. In her own way, she sings along when we’re in church. She raises her hands when we worship. She just loves people really.”
She also has a fascination with lights. She loves the lights on the freezer in the grocery store, because when someone walks past them, they come on and she just thinks that’s hilarious, Hanna said.
Her favorite movie is The Little Mermaid. Although Jewel cannot state it, Hannah knows because it is the only movie she will sit and really watches the entire show.
And then there’s her personality.
“She’s very sassy,” Hannah laughed. “She loves to roll her eyes. And yeah, she is always just talking and smiling.”
It’s a far cry from the doom and gloom picture that had been painted for them. Some in the medical field warned them Jewel would never smile, she wouldn’t engage with them and maybe not even know they were in the room.
“That was the life that we were presented with,” Hannah said. “And I'll tell you, it is nowhere near that. That is not the case. She is a very, very lively little girl. She is so joyful. She smiles and laughs and is very aware of people and she loves so hard.”
Life with Jewel
Daily life for the Van Puffelen family includes therapies, medications, oxygen, and tube feedings, but also family outings to the pumpkin patch, the fair, and church.
“We figured out life with Jewel,” Hannah said. “It is beautiful. It really is. And I could not imagine not having her.”
The family’s faith anchors them at Center Point Community Church, where Hannah’s father leads worship. Music has become a shared love for Jewel, who beams during Sunday services and loves to sit and watch his play and sing.
“She literally loves anything with a beat,” Hannah said. “She gets down to anything. And if you put some lights with it, you got a really happy Jewel.”
The Wish
While many children dream of Disney trips or celebrity meet-and-greets, the Van Puffelens chose something different — something Jewel could enjoy every day of her life.
“Jewel loves to be outside. She loves the sky, the sun, and just loves looking at trees and flowers. But she’s on a lot of medications that don’t allow her to be in the direct sun. She’s very sensitive to heat, and she swells up if she gets bit by any bug. Living in South Georgia, all of those things are a problem.
The solution was a screened-in porch with a skylight — an idea the Make-A-Wish Foundation embraced. The wish wasn’t an easy one to grant. After two and a half years of planning and searching for the right builder, Balfour Beatty, a national construction company with offices in Savannah and Atlanta, stepped in to complete the project.
Finished in late August, the porch is now Jewel’s sanctuary. Fans keep the space cool, a skylight brings in the sun and sky she loves, and a special saucer swing lets her stretch out and sway in safety.
“It is beautiful. They did such a great job,” Hannah said. “We’ve been out here literally any time that we can. It’s perfect.”
The
porch is now Jewel’s sanctuary. Fans keep the space cool, a skylight brings in the sun and sky she loves, and a special saucer swing lets her stretch out and sway in safety.
For Jewel, it means freedom. For her parents, it means peace. For her siblings, it means more time playing together outdoors. And for the community of volunteers and sponsors who built it, it means seeing a miracle child smile under the wide-open sky.
“When we first learned the diagnosis, we prayed, we prayed a lot for there not to be anything wrong,” Hanna said. The Lord doesn’t always grant what we pray for, but he made a really beautiful story out. Even though we didn’t get what we thought we wanted, he gave us what we needed.” ■
Why You Need Flood Insurance
The Risk is Real
While not everyone lives in a flood zone, you are still at risk of flooding. Most properties are vulnerable to flooding, even if they aren’t located near water. In high risk areas, you have a 1 in 4 chance of experiencing a flood over the life of a 30-year mortgage. But the truth is that you can live miles away from water and still be at risk of flooding. In fact, nearly 25 percent of flood insurance claims come from moderate- to low-risk areas. That’s because it doesn’t take a major body of water, or even a major storm, to cause a flood. Anything from new development to a slow-moving rainstorm can cause flooding. Floods are the most common natural disaster in the United States, yet most homeowners insurance does not cover flood damage. Unfortunately, many property owners don’t find out that their homeowners insurance policy doesn’t cover flooding until it’s too late. The National Flood Insurance Program offers a separate policy that protects your single most important financial asset—your home or business.
Disaster Assistance is Often Not Available
Some people think they don’t need flood insurance because they believe Federal disaster assistance will come to their aid. But floods are not always declared a Federal disaster. And when they are, aid is usually in the form of a loan, which must be paid back with interest. Flood insurance, on the other hand, pays for all covered losses, and, unlike loans, that money doesn’t have to be paid back. You can cover your
home’s structure for up to $250,000 and its contents for up to $100,000. For businesses, structural and contents coverage are available up to $500,000. Don’t count on others to financially protect your home or business. Take the initiative to protect your investment yourself.
Why Risk the Consequences?
Just a few inches of water can cost thousands of dollars in damage to walls, floors, furniture, carpets, and appliances. Flood insurance can help you avoid the financial consequences of a flood—and gain peace of mind. Flood insurance from the National Flood Insurance Program is available not only in areas at high risk of flooding, but in moderate- to low-risk areas as well. Policies are sold through nearly 90 insurance companies nationwide. The cost of a policy depends on your flood risk. For all but a small percentage of very high-risk properties, flood insurance is surprisingly affordable.
Don’t
Wait Until a Flood is Imminent
If you wait until a flood is on its way, you will be too late. In most cases, it takes 30 days after purchase for a policy to take effect.
To assess your flood risk, find an agent, and get more information, visit FloodSmart.gov or call 1-800-427-2419. ■
November 2025
December 2025
POOLER EVENTS
Chair Yoga for Cancer Survivors Lewis Cancer & Research Pavilion
11/6: The Full Bloom Holiday Experience
105 Grand Central Blvd Suite 104, Pooler,
11/7: Merriest Tree Lighting of All! Presented by Memorial Health Children’s Hospital Tanger Outlets Savannah
11/8: 8th Annual HonorMark Daffin Park, Savannah
11/8: 2025 Women Who Lead Power Con Jw Marriott Plant Riverside District, Savannah
11/10: Mobile MammographyChatham County Sheriff’s Office 1050 Carl Griffin Drive, Savannah
Savannah Christmas Market
400 W. River Street Savannah
11/22: Home Town Christmas at Ellen Claire Soapery
3130 Highway 80, Suite B, Bloomingdale
12/4: Chamber Cheers and Deals –Multi-Chamber Mixer
200 Tanger Outlets Blvd Suite 400, Pooler
12/5: Merry Kissmas – Presented by The Horne Law Firm Tanger Outlets Savannah
12/13: Adoption Event at Petco! Petco Savannah
INDEX OF ADVERTISERS
Please thank these advertisers for contributing to our community and making this publication possible. If you want to be part of this list, email Jan@JDelSURMarketing.com or call 912.295.5406.
