About Us
Letter From the CEO
As we take a moment to reflect on our achievements over the past year, I want to sincerely express my gratitude to everyone who has supported Lila’s Fund. Your contributions have empowered us to help families during their challenging times and have allowed us to spread Love, Hope, and Support with many more families.
Your trust in our vision and commitment to our mission has been invaluable. Whether you are a supporter of our events, have recently donated, or even just reached out to say how Lila’s Fund has made a positive impact on your journey, your contributions and engagement have made a remarkable impact. Together, we have made a positive impact on many families.
We are grateful of our accomplishments, but it is your belief in our potential that truly motivates us to strive for new heights. We remain committed to spreading Love, Hope & Support!
Thank you once again for being a vital part of our journey. We eagerly look forward to continuing this partnership and reaching even greater milestones together.
With heartfelt appreciation,
Julie Kelley
CEO, Lila’s Fund
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Julie Kelley
Founder of Lila's Fund
Our Mission
At Lila's Fund, our mission is to illuminate the path of hope for families facing the unbearable. Established in 2023, we believe in making a difference through providing essential support to families at Ronald McDonald House Charities and C.S. Mott Children's Hospital facing life’s toughest challenges. Through thoughtful donations and heartfelt gestures, we aim to transform moments of despair into opportunities for love, hope and support.
Our commitment extends beyond basic needs; we strive to nurture the spirits of families navigating difficult times. By providing gift cards, monetary donations, fresh coffee in the family lounges, and essential wish list items, we ensure that no family must bear the weight of added stress while caring for a loved one. Spreading Love, Hope, and Support, we empower families to focus on what truly matters: being together during life’s most challenging moments. We cannot express enough gratitude to our supporters! Their generosity and commitment to our mission has truly transformed lives and inspired hope where it was once lost.
A Milestone Year
In the past year, Lila’s Fund has emerged as a beacon of hope for countless families navigating the challenges of childhood illness. Through generous donations, we provided essential wish list items and financial support to families at the Ronald McDonald House Charities and C.S. Mott Children's Hospital. With love at the core of our mission, we ensured families felt the warmth of community during their hardest times.
In our inaugural year, the impact of our efforts was felt deeply within the community. Through events like our first golf outing, Congenital Heart Walk, and Lila’s Swaddle Drive we rallied together, raising over $30,844.00, to aid families in need. These funds are not merely numbers as they translate directly into gift cards, comfort items, and heartfelt research for children with CHD. Each contribution, no matter the size, has made a meaningful difference in the lives of those we serve. With continued dedication and the unwavering support of our donors and sponsors, Lila's Fund remains determined to spread Love, Hope, and Support throughout our community. We invite you to join us in our mission, as together we can light the path for many families in their darkest hours.
The Children's Hear Foundation
Congenital Heart Walk 2024
Our Efforts
Cups of Kindness Program
Supplied by SAP Realty, Lila's Fund & The B Connolly Foundation
Over the past year, Lila's Fund has focused on enhancing the well-being of families at Ronald McDonald House Charities and C.S. Mott Children's Hospital. Our collective efforts yielded 214 swaddles. Additionally, our donation of 135 pencil pouches to keep their child’s heart guide book orginized. We also prioritized supporting the Cups of Kindness program, enabling families to enjoy fresh coffee, tea, and hot cocoa in the family lounges. This simple act fosters a warm, comforting environment while uplifting spirits during long hospital stays. Our contributions to the Congenital Heart Center exemplify our dedication to support, directly benefiting families navigating similar health challenges. Together, we strive to make a meaningful impact.
Gratitude From Families
Families have been So Thankful. A few families have said how much the cards will help get settled back home. One family said they were putting the card towards a car seat they really needed. Another family mentioned how valuable the gas card was as they were experiencing financial hardship and had a long drive home.
“Thank you Julie, and your entire family of support! Lila’s Fund is an inspirational movement to support our mission! Your Gift will directly impact families when they need it most!” - RMHCAA
“It's the little things that can make a huge impact! Thank you! What you are doing through Lila's legacy is Amazing!!”
-DeVisser Family
“Lila’s Legacy continues to make a huge impact on many families in a time when they need it most” - The Miller Family
"Your support for our program is deeply appreciated. Thank you for the important contribution that you have made in brining hope and transforming lives"-
Dr. Charpie
“You are helping so many babies!” - Bronson Mother's Milk Bank
“Please pass along my gratitude to the Kelley’s for their generosity and kindness. It is much appreciated and is really making a difference for families” - RMHCAA
“The work you are doing in Lila’s memory is making an impact” - Lindsay Miller
"I was so touched by the gesture of this caring family giving to fill a need as simple as my breakfast. I was moved by her story. I saw the pictures of you and your husband Korey at the Red Shoes event and was just so very grateful for the love and support you continue to show by the work you two are doing through this fund. I'm so pleased to read her story and wanted to say to you that Lila's life is still reaching others! She is a welcomed friend to our family! Thank you, thank you, thank you for loving us through your daughter!" - Ron Koontz on behalf of my wife Janelle, Bo and his three sisters too!
By the Numbers
Our financial contributions have been directed toward various essential areas within C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital that played a crucial role during Lila’s journey. These include the Congenital Heart Center (11W), the Pediatric Cardiothoracic Intensive Care Unit (PCTU), the Jones Family Lounge, Palliative Care, Neurology, Child Life, Cups of Kindness, and Physical/Occupational Therapy. Team Lila’s Fund achieved first place in The Children’s Heart Foundation Congenital Heart Walk fundraiser, as well as support for The Ronald McDonald House Charities in Ann Arbor. Every donation, regardless of size, can significantly enhance the quality of care and services available to families in need.
Numerous vital wish list items have been generously donated to C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital and Ronald McDonald House Charities. These contributions offer families a sense of normalcy and comfort during challenging times. Thank you for your kindness in supporting this cause through your donations.
$50 gift cards are included in the “Our House to Yours” bags that families receive upon checking out of the Ronald McDonald House. This thoughtful gesture will assist families as they adjust to being back home.
Monetary Donations
$10,500
C.S. Mott Children's Hospital
$10,344
The Children's Heart Foundation
$10,000
Ronald McDonald House Charities
Wish List Items
215 Swaddles
C.S. Mott Children's Hospital
179 Toys, books, outfits
C.S. Mott Children's Hospital
45 Pantry Items
Ronald McDonald House Charities
Lila's Fund at RMHCAA
78 Families Positively Impacted
Ronald McDonald House Charities
$3,900 worth of gift cards handed out
Ronald McDonald House Charities
Meet The Team
Our Supporters
We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to all of our sponsors for their generous donations to our event. Your support has made a significant impact, and we truly appreciate your commitment to our cause. Thank you for believing in our vision and helping us bring it to life!
