When James was 8-year-old, it was country-lore that milkmaids who contracted cowpox, could not catch smallpox. Cowpox is a viral infection that causes weeping spots, pocks, on a cow's udders. Milkmaids caught the disease by milking cows. The women became mildly sick for a brief time and developed a few pocks, usually on their hand. In contrast, smallpox, is a highly contagious, deadly disease that often left it's victims blind, deaf, and scarred.

English country doctor Edward Jenner hypothesized that he could prevent people from catching smallpox by injecting them with matter taken from a pock of a person with cowpox. Since children were at the greatest risk of catching smallpox, Dr. James wanted to test his theory on a young healthy subject. He selected his gardener's 8-year-old son, James Phipps, who had neither suffered from cowpox nor smallpox. With parental permission, James received the first cowpox vaccination on May 14, 1796. As anticipated, James caught cowpox and safely recovered in six weeks. This proved that cowpox could pass from person to person as well as from cow to person.

On July 1, 1796, James bravely received a second vaccination, this time containing smallpox. James and his parents knew that he could contract smallpox and probably die, but it was a risk they were willing to take. Fortunately, James did not catch the deadly disease. The experiment worked, confirming the theory that cowpox creates an immunity, or protection, against smallpox.

Dr. Jenner successfully duplicated his experiment a number of times. In 1798, he published his research, coining the word "vaccination" derived from "vacca" the Latin word for cow.

Nearly 200 years later, the world was rid of smallpox, thanks to Dr. Jenner and 8-year-old James Phipps. In 1980, The World Health Assembly declared smallpox, the first human disease for which there was a vaccine, to be the first human disease totally eradicated throughout the world.

James Phipps's house in Berkeley is now the Jenner Museum, and May 14th is now celebrated as a public holiday in some countries.

Cody first had to show that he could do this kind of fundraising on his own. He planned a penny drive at a local grocery store in Kemptville one Saturday. He had his first major lesson in sitting for eight hours with a half hour for lunch, asking people for change and or donations of toys. He told the public what he was doing, why, and how the funds would be used. Cody received a lot of support and raised $400, while our local pharmacy donated soft toys, videos, books, soothers, etc. At the end of the successful day, Cody had collected over $800 worth of goodies: Cody's Individual Comfort Kits were born!

These kits are provided to children in the Emergency Room with the hope of making the trip a little less frightening. Cody had been in the hospital with a broken arm and severe ear problems and knew exactly what would make him less frightened - a toy, a book, or something to keep his mind occupied. The kits would be for kids and youth under age 19 and would have age-appropriate items. For a baby there would be soothers, rattles, a receiving blanket, always a teddy bear and a note from Cody. For a kid Cody's age there would be a toy car or tractor, a book or colouring books, crayons, puzzles, balls, and a teddy bear!

The youth category would include personal items such as cards, a book, crossword puzzle book, writing paper, or a journal and pen. The kits would remain at the Emergency Department in Kemptville to be used as needed, and Cody would be responsible for replenishing stock.

Over the year, Cody gave speeches at various service clubs. He was one of the youngest to speak at the Rotary Club in Kemptville. At Christmas, he delivered the first 12 Comfort Kits amidst local media and radio people who wanted to meet this young boy with the big heart.

In January 2003, Cody was the youngest to receive the Ontario Junior Citizen of the Year 2002 award and met the Lieutenant Governor General of Ontario. In June, Cody was honoured with the Young Volunteer of the Year 2003 from the Optimist Club of Spencerville where he attended North Edwardsburgh Public School in Grade 2.

After this Cody and his mother Jan got together with a few friends because he wanted to have a fundraising event of his own; Cody's Poor Boy's Supper was born which was to be an annual event with all funds going to Cody's Individual Comfort Kit Fund. The first Poor Boy's Supper raised nearly $2,800.

Jacob's inspiration occurred at age 6, following a frustrating sleepover at his grandmother's. He had brought along his baseball bat but had forgotten the balls. Never wanting to be in this predicament again, the young slugger created "a baseball bat that opens like luggage," he explains. At the larger end is a twist-lock cap that unscrews, allowing balls to be stored inside.

The JD Batball earned the National Mail Order Association award naming it Connecticut's top original product "Made in America" for 2002.

While the story of Jacob's invention is exceptional, what is most remarkable is Jacob's fearless spirit and determination. Born with a rare heart disease, Jacob suffered a stroke at the age of 11 months, which left him partially blind and with limited use of his right side. His invention enables him to carry both his bat and ball with one hand. Jacob doesn't let his physical challenges prevent him from doing the things he loves, namely rollerblading, bike riding, playing hockey, and, of course, baseball.

Jacob is a spokesperson for heart disease awareness and frequently gives talks in local schools and colleges to promote the importance of healthy eating and exercise. He is a regular visitor at the Connecticut Children's Medical Centre, where he donates JD Batballs to hospitalized children. "My toy makes kids happy," he says. "And that makes me happy and proud."

At age 8, Elizabeth shared her knowledge, enthusiasm, and pet tarantulas on a local news program, Naturally N'Awlins. Shortly before her 9th birthday, Elizabeth appeared as a guest on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.

Throughout Elizabeth's pursuit of spider knowledge, she has been helped and supported by many mentors especially: Zack Lemann of the Audubon Institute, arachnologists Rick West and Fred Sherberger, Dannye and Steve Nunn, Joy Reed, Darrin Vernier, Lucian Ross, Rhys Brigida, and Martin Huber. Elizabeth looks forward to meeting her "heroes" at the next American Tarantula Society Convention.