Happy Friday Friends! This is officially my first non fashion blog post, but one that is long overdue and been sitting in the back of my head waiting to be written.
Tomorrow hundreds of fabulous DC Area people will gather downtown at the Ronald Reagan Building to celebrate and raise awareness, as well as funds, for such a special cause. If you haven’t heard of The Children’s Inn at NIH then I’m so excited to be the one to tell you about it!
My love of the Inn started over four years ago, when my Dad told me about the Inn and all of the wonderful things they were doing there. At the time my Dad was working as the Director, Office of Financial Management and Deputy Chief Financial Officer, Office of the Director, the National Institutes of Health (NIH), so he had already seen and heard so much about the great work that was happening over there. The Inn sounded like a wonderful safe haven for children and families who are dealing with so much while participating in trials and receiving treatment at the NIH, but I didn’t feel drawn to or connected to the Inn until Spring of 2014 when I attended the Children’s Inn Evening of Hope Gala with my Dad. We saw and heard first hand from families who have not only been touched by the Inn, but who’s lives have truly been changed and impacted by the Inn. When your child is sick and you are constantly getting treatment, traveling, in limbo, feeling hopeless, the Inn is the place where these families go to feel as close to home as possible. They find comfort, care and compassion in a homey environment without the financial burden. It’s truly an amazing place and if you live in the DC Metropolitan Area, this is in your very own backyard!
In August of 2016 my Dad passed away from a brain tumor. It has been very important to both my husband and I to carry on this legacy of giving back to the Inn and be a support in whatever ways we can. Not only because we want to carry on for my Dad, but because we genuinely believe in and feel passionately about the work that they are doing over at the Inn.
If you are local, there are so many things you can do to get involved and help. While the Inn is on the NIH campus, it is not a government institution and relies on the generous donations of people just like you! Find out how you can get involved HERE! Help us spread awareness by liking and following the Inn on Facebook.
As I mentioned before, tomorrow night we will be downtown celebrating the 7th Annual WINNter Affair. All proceeds go to fund free lodging and support programs for seriously ill children and their families who call The Inn “home” as they visit the National Institutes of Health to take part in ground breaking medical treatment. Last year’s event SOLD OUT and raised over $100,000 – help us surpass our goal this year! Join us for this amazing and fun evening by getting your tickets HERE. There’s great food, drinks, dancing and some amazing auction items! Check out some of our pictures from years past.
My Dad and I at the 2014 Annual Children’s Inn Evening for Hope
The first time our local Stella & Dot Stylists shopped and collected gifts and wish list items for the Inn families during the holidays – our DC Stella girls are truly the BEST
Also that time we won the HUGE raffle at the 2016 Annual Children’s Inn Evening for Hope
(Also, big thank you toCollege Scooters for hooking us up with all the protective gear and donating the scooter)
Also, that time our neighborhood street represented at the Inn and won the box seats to the Knicks V. Wizards Game! Told you there are some amazing auction items!
So grab your tickets, make a donation, get involved and help us spread the word by clicking HERE!
HUGE thank you to my followers and readers for checking out this post. Also, THANK YOU so much to everyone who will be joining us tomorrow night-YOU ROCK!
Check out some FAQ’s from the CEO of the Children’s Inn, Jennie Lucca
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