BEAT

SCENTS FROM THE HEART

Janeen Kokodynski is carrying on her son’s legacy through Koko’s Candles

After losing her 1-month-old son Matthew to a congenital heart defect in 2005, Janeen Kokodynski worked tirelessly with the Children’s Heart Foundation. In 2017, while fundraising for the nonprofit, she combined her love of candle making with her commitment to the cause to launch Koko’s Candles. “After our son passed, I had friends and family say they didn’t know what to say or send to me so I started to see that there was a need for a high-quality gift that provided comfort during a difficult time,” she says. “Ten years later I started my first company, A Box of Comfort, and later extended the candle line to offer a variety of scents and a larger three-wick candle.” Koko’s Candles are fully made from soy wax – an important feature that makes the candle clean-burning. Each candle has a cotton wick and comes with a small pewter heart at its base. “At Matthew’s funeral, hammered pewter hearts were passed out, so before each candle is poured, a pewter heart is placed at the bottom. As the candle burns down, the heart is revealed and can then be removed and used as a pocket charm – a reminder that you are loved,” Kokodynski says. Scents offered range from Arizona pine and lavender to orange blossom and birthday cake, among others. This year, Koko’s Candles will also debut a 2-ounce “hotel” candle. “It is perfect for a small space like an office or bathroom or to throw in your bag if you’re going on a trip and you want your hotel room to smell good,” says Kokodynski, who, with her husband, is a proud parent to their children Mason, 20, Hailey, 18, and Kate, 14. Koko’s Candles offers customers the unique opportunity to design their own lid, adding a special touch to an event. Throughout the years, Kokodynski has shared her story with nonprofits in hopes of making a difference. In 2013, she spoke at a Mother’s Grace event, and she was honored as a MASK’s Mom’s Making a Difference Unity highlightHER Recipient in 2014. A portion of the profits from each candle sold are donated to the Children’s Heart Foundation. Learn more at www.kokoscandles.com.

BY MANDY HOLMES / PHOTO BY CLAUDIA JOHNSTONE