We are proud to announce our 2025 Ace All-Star Jesse Adkisson (age 9) from Nashville, TN as the Foundation’s 11th Ace All-Star! After celebrating 10 years of All-Stars last year, we are happy to add a new member to our All-Star team! As Ace’s eleventh All-Star, Jesse will join Ellie, Aiden, Parker, Kasey, Roxie, Duke, Kapono, Desmond, Avery, Nile, and Lily serving as national ambassador for the Ace Foundation; raising awareness for the excellent work that is done at local Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) Hospitals across the country.

Jesse receives care from Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. At five months old, Jesse was involved in a house fire resulting in burns on more than 25% of his body. He was admitted to Vanderbilt’s Burn Unit where he stayed for more than two months.

Jesse is now nine years old and has had numerous skin grafts and skin release surgeries, along with several pulmonology and retinal evaluations. He has been under almost constant care from several specialists at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt to help maintain his health throughout childhood. Before his initial discharge as an infant Vanderbilt provided training for his caregivers – the Gossett’s – on how to care for Jesse's needs. The weekly training sessions showed them all the things required for burn and wound care, occupational and physical therapy adaptations to help him be the best infant with burns that he could be. Jesse has had weekly physical, occupational, and speech therapies. At home care includes deep-tissue massage on his scars. This care is current and ongoing.

Jesse has a very positive outlook and addresses the questions he gets in an upfront manner. Each year he addresses his class at school to explain his situation – why he looks the way he does – and uses the opportunity to talk about the importance of having working smoke alarms, fire extinguishers, etc. for fire safety.

This is a very special and unique family! Jesse is in the process of being adopted by his foster parents – who have a total of 12 kids! Dewayne and Candace have four biological children, four adopted and are in the process of adopting Jesse and his three siblings. They are described as "angels on Earth." Truly Jesse is so lucky to have this amazing family support and now the support of our Ace community!

Through the support of Ace’s vendor partner Duracell, the Ace All-Star program enables Ace stores to raise funds for their local CMN Hospital using Jesse’s story of resilience and positivity as inspiration.

"We are honored and thrilled to welcome Jesse into the Ace All-Star family," said Chris Doucet, Director of the Ace Hardware Foundation. "Jesse and his amazing family will join Ace in raising both awareness and funds for the important work of CMN Hospitals. His story of bravery, determination and resilience is one that we know will inspire our Ace community and beyond."

Jesse was selected by the Ace Foundation following a CMN Hospitals campaign that gave selected Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals an opportunity to nominate a deserving patient. As the eleventh Ace All-Star, a $10,000 donation from Duracell will be made to Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt in Jesse’s honor. Throughout the year, Jesse will make special appearances and will be treated to exciting surprises from Ace Hardware.