Nineteen years ago Billie Menard had a vision.
She wanted to help the children of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. To bring a smile to their faces while also raising awareness for the childhood cancers and diseases that affected them.
Determined to make her vision a reality, she began raising funds via a nonprofit group Beanies for St. Jude. That first year, Menard was able to make a small donation of $500.
Now, after almost two decades, Menard says she and her team have been able to raise no less than $10,000 each year to send to the hospital.
But she doesn’t work alone. Menard says her vision has grown to include more and more people willing to lend a hand.
“We just keep growing. I feel I’m so blessed,” says Menard. “This was my vision, my dream, but I can’t do it alone. I have some wonderful people in my group and each year the group grows and grows.”
This year, Billie is hoping to pull off an even bigger feat. The team hopes to raise $19,000 in honor of their formation 19 years ago.
Beanies for St. Jude will be honored with a brick on the Pathway to Hope at the hospital in recognition for all their work done over the years.
You can help the group reach their goal by visiting the Beanies for St. Jude Facebook page.
The group plans on making the trip to Memphis on Easter Sunday to deliver the funds directly to the hospital.
