Neighborhood Philanthropy: Le Bonheur Kids of North Mississippi
Oxford is host to some wonderful non-profit organizations that provide for our community in so many ways. We want to provide a glimpse of these organizations each month. After two life changing experiences with Le Bonheur Hospital, Lauren Cleary, a longtime Oxford resident, wanted to make sure other families were provided both the support and expertise she and her children had received. So, in 2018, the Le Bonheur Kids of North Mississippi organization was founded. It continues to partner directly with Le Bonheur Children's Hospital to ensure all children and their families in the North Mississippi area receive world-class medical care and support.
Le Bonheur Kids of North MS Board of Directors
The Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital is one of the nation’s best children’s hospitals, featuring expert physicians and staff, state-of-the-art technology and family friendly resources. Le Bonheur serves more than 52,000 Mississippi children each year. Patients have access to pediatric neurologists, cardiologists, gastroenterologists, neurosurgeons, ophthalmologists, nephrologists, surgeons and pulmonologists at their clinic in Tupelo. As the region's only ACS Level 1 Pediatric Trauma Center, they train first responders and adult facilities throughout the Mid-South. In addition, it is home to a nationally recognized pediatric heart program and one of the nation's largest pediatric surgical brain tumor programs.
The Le Bonheur Kids of North Mississippi board is made up of 14 extraordinary women: Lauren Cleary, Jennifer Marascalco, Tracy Gowen, Margaret Baker, Ramey Hardin, Samantha Stockett, Summer Pegram, Mary Grace Vasilyev, Stacy Reeves, Alex Perry, Corrine Fikes, Emily McElreath, Reed Toms and Michelle Rogers (Le Bonheur’s liaison). Through their fundraising efforts, including the Monster's Ball costume party and golf tournament, they have established and continue to grow the "Care for All Children Endowment Fund.” This fund not only covers unpaid medical bills but overall needs for children who would otherwise have limited or no access to the quality care and specialized medicine they deserve. Additionally, each donation given through the Le Bonheur Kids of North Mississippi is matched dollar for dollar by Le Bonheur Children's Hospital. With the help of this endowment for children located in Mississippi, future expert care is secured and accessible, regardless of a family's ability to pay.
Founder, Lauren Cleary, recently shared, “The idea for Monster’s Ball came to me while watching Hocus Pocus on the back porch with friends. Oxford is not short on any galas or cocktail parties, but at the time we did not have an adult costume party around Halloween. I thought it would be such a creative and fun way to support Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital, which has touched so many families in our area. My family had already spent time there with our son, Topher, after a bad fall and worked with the maternal fetal specialist while I was expecting John West. This was even before we found out about our daughter, Carolina’s, heart condition. The facilities, the doctors and the care are simply unparalleled. Le Bonheur is so special to me and I cannot imagine sending my children anywhere else. It truly provides the best pediatric care in the region.”
This year, the Monster's Ball golf tournament and Costume Party will be held on Friday, October 28th at The Country Club of Oxford. The most impactful way to support Le Bonheur Kids of North Mississippi's efforts is through sponsorship of the Monster's Ball, participation in the Monster's Ball golf tournament, and purchase of tickets to the Monster's Ball costume party. You can purchase tickets here! Jennifer Marascalco currently serves as this year’s Chairman of the Board and she shared, “Le Bonheur is near and dear to so many in our community and to each of the ladies that serve on this organization’s Board of Directors. When I was invited to join the board a couple of years ago, I was excited to join a collective that was coming together to channel compassion for children in need and turn it into meaningful action.”
We are so grateful to the Le Bonheur Kids of North Mississippi and their board for bringing attention to this amazing children’s hospital, Le Bonheur, and for helping North Mississippi families with both support and financial assistance to provide for their children during one of the hardest and scariest times in their lives. Interested in being a sponsor, donating a raffle ticket item or just giving a donation to the Monster’s Ball? Contact Jennifer Marascalco at jenniferm.ccm@gmail.com or Lauren Cleary at mslaurenwest@gmail.com.