Our Story

Jaxon in Action is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization based in Higganum, Connecticut.

At its heart, this organization is about Jaxon Joseph Podbielski—who he was, what he cared about, and how he saw the world. It’s about bringing his light, compassion, and curiosity to the places that need them most.

Jaxon was a typical little boy in so many ways—playful, curious, and full of energy—but there was something extraordinary about him, too. He was an old soul in a young body, a child who somehow understood that he had a responsibility to the world around him. From the start, he lived with empathy and purpose.

He was a patient, loving brother to his baby sister, Ariela, a fierce and loyal friend to his classmates in preschool and kindergarten, and the kind of son every parent dreams of. Jaxon loved with his whole being—curious and creative, anxious yet fun-loving, shy yet playful. We know Jaxon would have wanted this organization to exist—because of how he lived his life and the person he embodied.

He was also a little foodie. Some of his favorite meals included octopus, sushi, lobster, and dried seaweed. He loved cooking with his dad and creating his own recipes. Because of this passion, addressing childhood food insecurity has become a key pillar of Jaxon in Action.

Even as a toddler, Jaxon understood the importance of giving back. By age two, he was doing weekly chores and earning two dollars a week. Each year on his birthday, we’d sit down with his piggy bank and divide his savings—some to spend, some to save, and some to give. We hoped to plant the seed of generosity, and he embraced it wholeheartedly. Justin and I knew he wouldn’t grow up the way we did, but we were determined to raise a child who saw value in people, the world, and giving back.

When Jaxon was born, we started a Diaper Drive to support the Hartford DCF system—helping children removed from unsafe environments. The stories were heartbreaking: babies and toddlers removed from homes, babies left in unchanged diapers for days, covered in rashes. It reminded me of teachers paying out of pocket for classroom supplies—quiet heroes stepping up where systems fall short.

Jaxon joined us from the very beginning. At the young age of two, he proudly helped to unload boxes and built what he called “Diaper Mountain.” Each year, the drive grew—and so did his pride in helping others. He didn’t complain or get distracted—he loved being part of something that helped others. He’d tell anyone who’d listen that he was covering “naked baby bum bums.” Even as a little boy, he led with compassion.

Jaxon also cared deeply about the planet. After learning at Mystic Aquarium how harmful balloons are to the environment, he made a promise—no more balloons at his birthday parties—and he kept that promise every year. Every Earth Day, he and I would pick a spot and clean up trash together. Even now, when we see litter, we stop and pick it up—for him.

A few weeks before he passed, leaving the Berlin Fair, someone tossed a bottle on the ground. Jaxon asked, “Why do people do that?” I told him, “Just because others disrespect the Earth, doesn’t mean you ever should.” And he never did.

More than anything, Jaxon loved animals. At the zoo, he’d point out what he didn’t see, and it always made us laugh. From the ladybugs and butterflies in our yard to the frogs in our drainpipe, he loved every creature. He could spend hours learning about them—what they ate, where they lived, and why they mattered.

He dreamed of owning a pet store one day, a place where he could care for animals and teach others to love them the way he did. Jaxon in Action is our way of helping that dream live on.

One year, Jaxon chose to donate his birthday money to Mystic Aquarium, saying he wanted to “save the world the most for all the animals.” That was Jaxon—always thinking beyond himself, always trying to protect.

At age five, one night before bed, he asked his father why the world was so broken and when it would get better. Then he said, “When I grow up, I’m going to make the world good again and safe for all the animals.”

Even in the end, Jaxon’s final act was one of pure love and generosity. At just five years old, he donated four of his organs and saved lives. As unbearable as it was to lose him, we knew Jaxon would have wanted to give back—because that’s who he was. That’s who he’ll always be.

The world needed more time with Jaxon—and more people like him. But most importantly, Jaxon deserves his chance to realize his dream and help make the world a better place.

Jane Goodall may have captured Jaxon’s mindset—and the spirit behind Jaxon in Action—best when she said:

“Hope is often misunderstood. People tend to think that it is simply passive wishful thinking: I hope something will happen but I’m not going to do anything about it. This is indeed the opposite of real hope, which requires action and engagement.”

We love him. We miss him. There isn’t a moment that goes by that we don’t feel the ache of his absence. But we carry him with us—in every diaper we donate, every piece of trash we pick up, every animal we protect, and every act of kindness we do for others.

He’s not here to see these things through, but we are. And we will. Always.

Always for Jax.