Celebrating Our Mission in March

We are celebrating our namesakes this month as a part of our Founder’s Day celebration and Legacy Campaign.

Annually, during Women’s History Month on the last Tuesday, we celebrate our annual Founder’s Day/Giving Tuesday. This day was founded in 2025 to bring awareness and celebrate the legacy work of Lillie’s Foundation, supporting grandparents and caretakers raising school-aged children.

Who are we celebrating:

Our Founder’s Day is dedicated to honoring the life and legacy of our Lillie’s; Lillie Mae Watkins Allen Young and Lillie Geraldine Brooks Mills Hurst.

The foundation was developed in 2012 with the vision of Darryl G. Allen, Board of Directors, and Founder. Both Mr. Allen and his wife, Mrs. Cassandra Allen, were both raised by “Lillie’s”.

Mr. and Mrs. Allen have experienced firsthand the impact of unconditional love, support, and rearing from grandparents. They know the struggles and sacrifices it takes for retired and aging grandparents to raise grandchildren. Their direct testimony is what fuels the passion of Lillie’s Foundation.

Lillie Mae Young, affectionately known as “Miss Lillie,” was the town caretaker and provided hospice care for families in need. She lived 105 years and made the best poundcake in the South.

Lillie G. Hurst was married to Frank Hurst, who the On the Porch Blog is dedicated and was a missionary. She was an educated advocate and read to children in the local elementary schools in Portsmouth and Danville, Virginia.

Here are some reading tips for families and communities from Mrs. Hurst, she’d share with parents, teachers, and church leaders.

1. Talk during everyday moments. This helps build description, especially in moments of cleaning, cooking, and creating.
2. Sing and rhyme: Singing together counts! It calms, creates connectedness and comforts the soul.
3. Have back-and-forth conversations: Don’t be afraid to ask your child(ren) questions and allow them to ask you questions.
4. Tell stories without books: Sharing life moments and experiences is key to communication, caring, and critical thinking.

Why are we celebrating:

Lillie’s Foundation is bringing awareness to grandparents and caretakers raising school-aged children. Where there are professional caretakers, we support, celebrate, and advocate for family members i.e., grandparents and caretakers who unselfishly raise their grandchildren or school-aged children within their family.

We want to ensure that grandparents and caretakers raising school aged children are:

1. Provided a free, fair and efficient educational support for the children their raising.
2. Protected through housing, educational and transportation policies and programs.
3. Protected from predators and those taking advantage of them financially, socially and emotionally.

Each year we celebrate a Grandparent of the Year amplifying the urgency of having support systems and advocates for grandparents and caretakers raising school aged children.

Solution We’re Offering:

Join us in advocating for RAISE Family Caregivers and supporting the Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Act.

We want stakeholders this year to stay connected to our blog and Lillie’s Foundation “Serve With Compassion” Campaign, as we champion for grandparents and caretakers raising school-aged children, ensuring they have the economic, education, health, and wellness support they need to thrive.

Support our campaign this year on March 31st, Founder’s Day, in which we’re asking 100 people or more across the nation to Love on Lillie’s as we support grandparents and caretakers raising school-aged children. Help us support those who serve with compassion.

Please contact us at lilliefoundationforchange@gmail.com if you’d like to be a sponsor or partner of our initiative supporting caretakers and caregivers.