Granola on a Mission!

Adam's sister, Jenae, has a long history of volunteering in 3rd world countries doing dental work. She has a long career in the dental field and overall volunteering is a true passion of hers.

How does this tie to granola you ask? Simply put, in order to take care of others, it's best to take care of yourself first and being nourished while helping others is a start.

Here's a Q&A with Jenae about her latest mission to Jamaica.

What inspired you to sign up for this mission trip to Jamaica?

Jenae: My desire to return to mission work goes back to 2001, when my dental office in Virginia partnered with a nonprofit chiropractor to serve communities in Jamaica. That first trip opened my eyes to how meaningful global service can be.
Over the last 25 years I’ve had many opportunities to volunteer—our last trip was in 2018 before COVID shut the world down. Once that type of service was suddenly gone, I realized how much joy it brought me. That longing was the spark that inspired me to say “yes” to Jamaica in 2025 and share compassion with communities that have limited access to care.

How did the opportunity come together?

Jenae: Honestly, through heartbreak—and then divine redirection. Our team was originally set to serve in Belize, but one week before departure our dental application was denied despite months of preparation.
Instead of giving up, a connection led us to Dr. Jim Carney and the Helping Hands Dental Clinic in Jamaica. Within days we rerouted logistics, repacked supplies, and trusted that this was where we were meant to be.

What kind of dental services did you help provide?

Jenae: Our team of 31 volunteers provided both preventative and restorative dental care. We also helped upgrade and repair the clinic, and a small group ran a joyful Vacation Bible School for the youngest children in the community.

Dental services provided:

• 290 patients served
• 152 cleanings
• 330 fillings
• 235 extractions
• 25 sealants
• 53 SDF treatments
• 3 root canals
• $250,000+ in total dental services

Construction & clinic upgrades:

• Built wheelchair ramp and stairs
• Mixed and moved 200 buckets of concrete
• Installed 2 swings
• Repaired water lines, sinks, suction line, handpieces, autoclave, and dental chairs
• Moved 1.5 tons of gravel and used 1,500 cinder blocks
• Installed a kitchen screen door and 50 ft waste line

Many of us had no construction background, but together we transformed the clinic and community spaces with a lot of sweat and heart.

Where in Jamaica did you serve, and what were the conditions like?

Jenae: We served in Treasure Beach in the Parish of Saint Elizabeth, a rural and beautiful part of southwest Jamaica. The landscape was full of goats, sugarcane, mango trees, radishes, corn, and peas.
The clinic was hot, humid, and nonstop—but filled with gratitude, music, and joy. Patients waited hours in the sun because dental care is so limited in the area. Our team traveled each morning from our villa to a main mess hall where three incredible local women cooked breakfast—eggs, local pork or sausage, fried festival bread with guava jelly, and fresh juices like soursop, guava, and June plum.
Despite the heat and long days, the warmth of the community made every moment worth it.

Can you share a moment that really stayed with you?

Jenae: On our first clinic morning, we were asked to join the pastor and patients for prayer and worship. The pews had been cleared out to make room for our preventative care area, and the church filled with voices singing gospel songs.
One young man, Lennox—blind since birth—led us in powerful worship that felt like it lifted the roof. In that moment I felt something bigger than any one of us: pure humanity, compassion, and faith.
It reminded me that our work wasn’t just clinical; it was an exchange of love and hope. I started that day humbled and energized to give my whole heart.

What was the hardest part of the trip?

Jenae: Leaving.
During the week, strangers became family—both the volunteers I served with and the patients we cared for. The heat was intense and the days were long, but the smiles and stories of the people we treated made every challenge feel small.
Saying goodbye was emotional because it reminded me how deeply connected we all are through kindness and human touch, no matter where we come from.

What did it mean to you to have The Biker and Baker Granola sponsor your trip?

Jenae: It meant the world. Their support wasn’t just financial—it felt like family standing beside me in that hot clinic, supporting every patient we helped.
On our first full day, while waiting for buses after ziplining at YS Falls, I shared bags of Biker and Baker Granola with our group. Everyone loved it—the flavor, the quality, the story behind it. It was a sweet reminder that community can stretch far beyond borders, and that even small acts of support can fuel big moments of healing.

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If you want to support Jenae on future missions, you can! Check out her fundraising website and donate.

Thank you Jenae for all you do - we look forward to fueling your next mission!