Ellie's Light has continued to provide donations to the surrounding communities and families in need of support during tough times... However we have not always been great about updating this page. It is definitely more tedious than other communication methods. Our facebook page does have more information on more recent donations!
Grab-n-Go Snack Bags
Ellie's Light purchased $500 worth of snack foods and the Eastview High School Cheerleaders assembled over 600 on the go snack bags for families at Mpls and St. Paul Children's Hospitals. Thank you Bolts and Belz family for your help!
Sponsorship- Jan 2017
Ellie's Light was able to be the food sponsor at a local Cards for a Cause night benefiting Faith's Lodge. It was a great night and the McKenzie family was able to raise a lot of money for Faith's Lodge in memory of their daughter Ella.
Wishes and More Wish- Dec 2016
Ellie's Light decided to work with Wishes and More to grant a wish for a child that has a heart defect. Ellie's Light was able to underwrite the whole wish for $5000 and send little Norah and her family to Disney World. Ellie's Light was also able to help throw Norah and her family a wish party and provide them with some gifts for their trip. We are so honored to be a part of something so exciting!
Holiday Donation to Family in Need- Dec 2016
This year, Ellie's Light decided to reach out to a family in need and provide some support during the holidays. This family of four includes a child with a serious heart condition and has already required several surgeries and hospitalizations in his short life. Ellie's Light was happy to provide them with three months of mortgage, $1000 for a down payment on a car, HyVee and Kwik Trip Gift Cards, a photo session and lots of toys for both kids.
Children's Minneapolis Hem/ Onc Clinic & Floor- Dec 2016
Ellie's Light donated Smallcakes cupcakes to the oncology floor, breakfast foods for the oncology staff and $500 worth of Target and Amazon gift cards for the oncology kids and their siblings. We did this in honor of Jack Spinner who is an extended family member of Ellie's and is undergoing treatment for leukemia at Children's.
River's Rally- Oct 2016
Ellie's Light gave fellow non-profit River's Rally to purchase food for Faith's Lodge. We were able to help fund several meals and stock the freezer.
Oncology Floor- Children's Minneapolis- Sept 2016
Ellie's Light donated a care package to a newly diagnosed oncology patient and two dozen Smallcakes cupcakes to the oncology families.
Children's Hospital of St. Paul & Ronald McDonald House- Aug 2016
Ellie's Light donated 373 toiletry kits, 142 busy bags, 2 tubs of misc toiletries, 98 Belle's Buddies and $300 worth of snacks.
Children's Hospital of St. Paul NICU- August 2016
Ellie's Light donated a NICU care package and brought two dozen cupcakes into the St. Paul NICU.
Funeral Assistance Fund Donation- May 2016
Ellie's Light donated $4000 to Noah & Ray's Funeral Assistance Fund through the MN SID Center at Children's Hospitals and Clinic of Minnesota. This fund directly pays florists, funeral homes, cemeteries, etc. when families are not able to do this without help. No family should ever have to worry about paying for their child's services. We are honored to be able to help some families through such a difficult time.
Emergent Transfer Care Package- April 2016
Ellie's Light provided a care package for a family who was airlifted to Minneapolis Children's from Duluth for ECMO.Thankfully, the little girl did not end up needing ECMO and made an amazing recovery! This story really touched my heart and I am so glad we were glad to provide the family with some comforts during this very stressful and scary time. The care package included gift cards for several restaurants in the area, blankets for parents and child, stuffed animal, coffee mugs, water bottles, snacks, toiletry kits, etc.
Ronald McDonald House- March 2016
Ellie's Light collected, purchased and donated blankets to the Ronald McDonald House at Children's Hospital Minneapolis. We donated 22 adult, 38 kid/ teen, 22 baby & 15 "taggies" blankets.
Ellie's Light donated $2000 to Noah & Ray's Funeral Fund through Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota. This fund helps parents cover funeral and burial expenses for their children.
Grab and Go Snack Bags- October 2015
In memory of Ellie's fifth Angelversary we donated over 350 Grab and Go Snack Bags, baskets of adult items (lotion, Kleenex, magazines, puzzle books, etc), baskets of patient and sibling items (games, color books, crayons, puzzles, etc) to the Minneapolis Children's PICU, NICU and Hem/Onc Unit and the St. Paul Children's PICU and NICU. We also gave Domino's gift cards to the very hardworking, caring and dedicated staff of the Minneapolis PICU and Hem/ Onc and St. Paul PICU and ER. These units provided great care to Ellie while she was ill and the Hem/Onc to us after she passed and we wanted to thank them. We also donated a few boxes of Belle's Buddies.
Bereavement Care Package- Fall 2015
We put together a bereavement package for a family who was saying goodbye to their child. It included a patient belonging bag, bereavement books for siblings & Belle's Buddies.
Ronald McDonald House- July 2015
Ellie's Light assembled and donated 300 toiletry kits and 150 busy bags to the Ronald McDonald Houses (Gillette Hospital and St. Paul Children's). We also donated many dishes, tickets and other items that were left over from our Light Up the Lanes fundraiser.
Ronald McDonald House- June 2015
Ellie's Light collected, purchased and donated over 300 DVDs to the new RMH at Children's Hospital in St. Paul. We also purchased plenty of movie snacks to accompany them!
Emergent Transfer Care Package- June 2015
Ellie's Light was able to donate a care package to a family who was emergently transferred to Mayo Clinic from Grand Forks due to a heart condition. Our care package included a warm parent blanket, baby blanket, stuffed animal, two books for parents to read to the child, two Ellie's Light coffee mugs, Ellie's Light tote bag, one men's and one women's toiletry kit and three gift cards.
West Shore Medical Center Bereavement Donation- April 2015
Ellie's Light was contacted by a nurse from a small Northern Michigan Hospital called West Shore Medical Center. They were in need of bereavement items for their L&D department. She explained that they had some items but not enough to provide adequate comfort and support to a family experiencing a loss. Ellie's Light is very grateful to be to help them comfort their families in need. We donated the following: 21 Belle's Buddies, 12 journals, 6 photo albums, 57 touchstones, 5 memory boxes, 2 cloth memory pouches, 5 Willow Tree figurines, Stack of Guardian Angel Cards, 4 "Always in my Heart" tags, 4 wooden plaques, 12 Angel pin sets, 2 preemie outfits, 6 infant hats, 3 infant headbands, 10 baby lotions, 10 body washes, 2 3D cast sets, 6 Model Magic Packs, 7 Handprint Molds, 2 Inkless Handprint Kits, 5 packs of stickers, 5 Grandparent Bereavement Books, 8 Parent Bereavement Books, 10 Child Bereavement Books, Digital Camera, 10 SD cards, camera case, one pack of lithium batteries, 15 lock of hair keepsake sets, 7 kids towels, 8 baby towels, 2 packs of washcloths, 8 fleece baby blankets, 16 receiving blankets, 10 personal belonging bags and 5 Ellie's Light totes.
BMT Family Care Package- March 2015
Ellie's Light was able to donate a care package to a family that is visiting from Minnesota from Texas while their son Anton receives a bone marrow transplant. Our care package included maple candy, Abdallah Chocolates, MN Playing Cards, Glow in the Dark Animals for Anton's room, Play Clay, Watercolor Wands, 3 Belle's Buddies, 3 MN watercups for the kids, 2 Ellie's Light travel coffee mugs for the parents, an Ellie's Light tote, 5 Children's Museum Passes, $50 Holiday Gas Gift Card, $25 Amazon Gift Card, $25 Chipotle Gift Card, $15 Starbucks Gift Card, $50 Hard Rock Cafe Gift Card, 3 Nickelodeon Universe Wristbands, 8 Science Museum Passes, MN Swarm Passes, $75 in iTunes Gift Cards.
Ronald McDonald House- December 2014
In December of 2014 the Ronald McDonald House received 61 Adult Blankets, Towels, Clothing Items, 76 Stuffed Animals, First Aid Tub, Personal Hygiene Tub, 156 Men's Toiletry Kits, 152 Women's Toiletry Kits, 34 Nail Kits, Make Up Items, Boys & Girls Toys, Arts & Crafts Items, Baby Toys, 94 Games, Legos, Cars, 15 Cups, 53 Books, 14 DVDs, Gifts for parents, electronics and 51 sporting goods items. These items had a total estimated value of $12,654!
These items were a combination of things purchased by Ellie's Light and 958 items donated by 93X from their annual toy drive. Thank you so much 93X!
Children's Hospital- December 2014
Children's Hospital and Clinics of Minnesota received 111 new fleece blankets for the patients and families of the NICU, PICU and oncology floors, 50 Belle's Buddies for grieving siblings and a large box of Arts & Crafts supplies for Child Life. Estimated value of $1205.
Buffalo Hospital- December 2014
Buffalo hospital received 117 Small Toys, 50 small Cars, 8 Packages of Play Doh, 21 small Lego sets, 34 Arts & Crafts Items for their pediatric patients.
Amplatz Children's Hospital- Summer 2014
Amplatz Children's Hospital received 54 Belle's Buddies, 75 busy bags, 50 toiletry kits and 37 infant and toddler blankets.
Gillette Children's Hospital- Summer 2014
Gillette Children's Hospital received 29 Belle's Buddies. The Ronald McDonald Family room at Gillette Hospital received 50 toiletry kits, 25 busy bags and on a catered brunch for families to enjoy.
Bereavement Services (Children's Hospital)- Summer 2014
Ellie's Light purchased and donated 50 SD cards for bereavement services. These cards are used when a child is passing away to preserve precious last memories.
Bereavement Services (Children's Hospital)- March 2014
Ellie's Light purchased and donated 6 tubs of Modeling Clay for Bereavement Services to use for hand and foot prints after a child passes away.
Ronald McDonald House Donation- March 2014
Ellie's Light assembled and donated 59 Men's toiletry kits and 56 Women's toiletry kits. We also donated a small tub of travel sized Kleenex, 30 sets of ear plugs and 32 eye masks (the hospital is loud and bright at night!), a large box of assorted toiletries and personal hygiene products.
Ellie's Birthday Blankets- March 2014
In honor of Ellie's 4th Birthday, we made, collected and purchased blankets for Children's Hospital PICU and NICU, as well as their Ronald McDonald House. We were able to donate 59 baby blankets to the NICU, 41 blankets to the PICU and 27 adult blankets to the Ronald McDonald House. We are happy to donate 127 new, warm blankets for the chilly patients and family members at Children's Hospital in Minneapolis.
A special thank you to the McKenzie Family. They collected 59 blankets in honor of their daughter Ella's 3rd Birthday!
Happy Birthday Ellie and Ella!
SD Cards for Bereavement Services- January 2014
Ellie's Light purchased and donated, per the request of Bereavement Services at Children's Hospital, 50 SD cards.
Ronald McDonald House Holiday Donation- December 2013
Ellie's Light purchased $4500 worth of toys, games, movies, books, winter gear, blankets, towels, toiletries, slippers, etc. for the Ronald McDonald House's (Fulton Ave.) annual family Christmas Party. Included were $950 worth of gift cards for the families. Many families staying at the RMH are away from their friends and families during the holiday time and the RMH strives to make these difficult times less stressful. At the annual Christmas Party, RMH volunteers pick out gifts for EVERY family member. It is a great way to support families experiencing a difficult medical journey.
A special thank you to 93X for donating all of the items they received during their annual toy drive to Ellie's Light. We organized and boxed all the items and happily included them in our donation to the RMH Christmas Party.
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| Just some of our purchases! |
Hole Sponsorship at Swing for Sophia- June 2013
Ellie's Light sponsored a hole for $500 at the Swing for Sophia golf event on Friday, June 7th, 2013. This event is done in honor of sweet Sophia who passed away shortly after her birth from a heart defect. All money raised goes directly to Faith's Lodge. Faith's Lodge is a wonderful retreat home for families who have lost a child. We are proud to not only support Faith's Lodge, but also to honor Sophia's memory.
We collected 20 fleece blankets in honor of Ellie's 3rd Birthday. We weren't able to deliver them to the hospital until April, but we did finally get them there! These new, warm and fuzzy blankets are intended to keep chilly NICU/ PICU patients and families warm. We know from experience how cold the hospital can be, and these blankets really do make the stay a little more tolerable.
$500 Donation to Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep- January 2013
In honor of Ellie's 3rd Birthday, we donated money to three special organizations. Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep (NILMDTS) takes pictures for families who have experienced the loss of a child. Volunteer photographers come to the hospital and take pictures of the family with their child for no charge. These beautiful pictures are often the only pictures that a family will ever have of their child and are truly priceless. We are proud to support such a wonderful and crucial organization.
$1,000 Donation to Children's Lighthouse of Minnesota- Jan. 2013
In honor of Ellie's 3rd birthday, we donated money to three special organizations and Children's Lighthouse of Minnesota was one of them. Children's Lighthouse will be Minnesota's first hospice and respite home for terminally ill children. Our society is in great need of a place like this and Ellie's Light is honored to be able to help this plan come to fruition.
$1,000 Donation to Molly Bears- January 2013
In honor of Ellie's 3rd Birthday, we donated money to three special organization that support families who are experiencing or have recently experienced the loss of a child. Molly Bears is an amazing organization that makes stuffed bears that weigh as much as the child who passed away. These bears are very special and meaningful. Ellie's Light is excited to help many families receive their long awaited bear.
Desserts for PICU families and staff- April 2012
In honor of Ellie's 18 month Angelversary, Ellie's Light purchased 10 dozen assorted desserts and beverages from Byerly's for the St. Paul Children's Hospital PICU families and staff to enjoy. We wanted the staff to know their hard work and dedication was greatly appreciated and to give the families a little break from the stress of the PICU environment.
Ellie's Birthday Blankets- February 2012
In honor of Ellie's 2nd birthday, Ellie's Light purchased fleece blanket material and her family spent the day making blankets for the hospital. We also had several blankets donated by friends! We were able to donate 55 blankets to the oncology and pediatric intensive care units at Children's Hospital in Minneapolis. Happy Birthday Ellie!
Belle's Buddies- February 2012
Ellie's Light donated 100 stuffed animals to the Amplatz Children's Hospital at the University of Minnesota. These Buddies will be given to grieving siblings to cuddle.
In honor of Ellie's 3rd Birthday, we donated money to three special organization that support families who are experiencing or have recently experienced the loss of a child. Molly Bears is an amazing organization that makes stuffed bears that weigh as much as the child who passed away. These bears are very special and meaningful. Ellie's Light is excited to help many families receive their long awaited bear.
Desserts for PICU families and staff- April 2012
In honor of Ellie's 18 month Angelversary, Ellie's Light purchased 10 dozen assorted desserts and beverages from Byerly's for the St. Paul Children's Hospital PICU families and staff to enjoy. We wanted the staff to know their hard work and dedication was greatly appreciated and to give the families a little break from the stress of the PICU environment.
Ellie's Birthday Blankets- February 2012
In honor of Ellie's 2nd birthday, Ellie's Light purchased fleece blanket material and her family spent the day making blankets for the hospital. We also had several blankets donated by friends! We were able to donate 55 blankets to the oncology and pediatric intensive care units at Children's Hospital in Minneapolis. Happy Birthday Ellie!
Belle's Buddies- February 2012
Ellie's Light donated 100 stuffed animals to the Amplatz Children's Hospital at the University of Minnesota. These Buddies will be given to grieving siblings to cuddle.
Shining Her Light 2011- Toys for Tots: December 2011
Ellie's Light chose to shine a little extra light on Toys for Tots in 2011. At nine months old, Ellie was just starting to really get into her toys- what kid doesn't love toys?! So we thought it would only be appropriate to put some of the hard earned funds towards buying toys for children during the holidays. On 12.12.11, Ellie's family and the Ellie's Light Board of Directors went to purchase $4000 worth of toys!
On 12.17.11, we gathered friends and family and delivered our car loads of toys down to the warehouse. We then spent about three hours helping the Marines sort and box toys. They had a huge pile of toys that just kept growing and we were more than happy to add to it!
93X Toy Drive/ Children's Hospital: December 2011
On 12.9.11, Ellie's Light received 427 toys from local radio station 93X. We sorted and boxed the toys and delivered them to Minneapolis Children's Hospital on 12.11.11. The hospital will use these toys for Child Life, restocking playrooms and as rewards for patients undergoing procedures and treatments.
Thank you to Josh and the 93X Morning Show!
Ronald McDonald House: December 2011
When Ellie's Light served dinner at the RMH on 12.3.11, we brought many hygiene and comfort items for the families, as well as snack items for the pantry. The Mpls. Children's RMH serves families with critically-ill children and through them we are able to get these needed items to many families.
We were able to bring 8 game tins, 5 heat packs, 1 pkg of men's socks, 16 sleeping masks, 7 pairs of slipper socks, 8 bath puffs, 28 shower gels, 7 pairs of women's slippers, 6 soft and fluffy bathrobes, 9 warm blankets, 12 reusable cup and straws, and a box full of assorted toiletries. Also, thanks to Dr. Perkins at Eagan Valley Dental in Eagan, we were able to donate 49 sets of toothpaste, toothbrushes and mouthwash! Finally, Ellie's Light donated 10 value size boxes of varies snack items for the families to grab out of the pantry.
Thank you Dr. Perkins at Eagan Valley Dental!
Blankets and Bathrobes
Slippers, socks, eye masks and game tins
Heating packs, toiletries and shower gels
Reusable cups and straws
Minneapolis Children's Hospital NICU: December 2011
Belle's Buddies and Memory Pouches: November 2011
On 11.8.11, Ellie's Light donated 100 stuffed animals (Belle's Buddies) for grieving siblings, 50 memory pouches, 3 value packs of Model Magic for hand and footprints and 25 Faces of Loss, Faces of Hope postcards to Children's Hospital in Minneapolis. The donation will be divided between the Minneapolis campus and the St. Paul Children's Hospital. Each memory pouch contained a journal, photo album with SD card envelopes, votive candle, two touchstones, bracelet set, Lock of Hair box and canvas personal belonging bag. These memory pouches are given to families after a child passes away and serve as a safe place for families to store and transport their child's items. More Belle's Buddies will be brought to the hospital as they are needed.
Photo Paper and Ink Cartridges: August 2011
Ellie's Light purchased and donated $350 worth of photo paper and ink cartridges for the bereavement program at Children's Hospital and Clinics of Minnesota. These supplies will be used to give parents and families tangible memories of their moments with their child. Families are given digital photographs to take home with them when they leave the hospital after their child passes away. The importance of these photos is indescribable.
Blanket and Food Drive: January 2011
Ellie's 1st Birthday was on January 15th, 2011. Before she passed away, her Mommy had already started planning a ladybug birthday party. It was decided that even though Ellie wasn't going to be there to celebrate with us, we still wanted to do something. So we had a ladybug party and held a canned food drive to benefit the local food shelf, and a blanket drive to benefit the Children's Hospital.
Approx. 300 lbs of food were donated to the local food shelf. Food was donated by Ellie's family and friends in honor of her first birthday.
Forty-five blankets were collected in honor of Ellie's 1st Birthday. Ellie's friends and family spent her birthday celebrating and making fleece blankets to donate to the children in the PICU and oncology floor at Children's Hospital in Minneapolis.
2010 Toys for Tots
Ellie's Light had not officially been organized yet, nor had we started raising funds, so we used Ellie's Memorial fund to purchase over 13 carts full of toys, totaling over $3000! The toys were all donated to the Minnesota Toys for Tots drive. On December 15th, 2010, the toys were delivered to the warehouse, where we spent a couple of hours helping sort, count and box the toys for distribution.
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| Ellie's Parents |
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| Ellie's family |
December 15th, 2010 (Ellie's two month Angelversary): Dropping off all the toys with the Marines!
Each year we will choose an organization to support. 
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