The Millie Moo Foundation was created in memory of the DeClercqs’ daughter, Millie, affectionately known as Millie Moo. Diagnosed with pediatric cancer as an infant, Millie’s battle touched countless people throughout the region. Following her passing, the overwhelming support from friends, neighbors, and community members inspired Wesley and Gabby to create a nonprofit organization that would carry her legacy forward while helping families facing similar challenges.
The foundation focuses on providing financial assistance to families navigating pediatric cancer. For many parents, the emotional weight of a child’s diagnosis is compounded by mounting expenses, travel costs, missed work, and everyday household bills. Through direct support, the Millie Moo Foundation helps ease some of those burdens, allowing families to focus more fully on their child’s care.
Many of the families assisted by the organization receive treatment at leading pediatric cancer facilities, including the University of Iowa’s children’s hospital. Families often travel long distances and spend extended periods away from home, creating additional financial pressures. The foundation assists with expenses ranging from utility bills and mortgage payments to travel and food costs.
In addition to supporting pediatric cancer families, the Millie Moo Foundation has established scholarship programs for students pursuing careers in agriculture. Agriculture has long been a part of the DeClercq family’s life, and the scholarship initiative serves as another way to honor Millie’s memory while investing in future generations.
The scholarships currently serve students from the founders’ hometown school districts, including Riverdale and Erie. However, the long-term vision is to expand opportunities to additional schools and communities. Wesley and Gabby emphasized that modern agriculture offers a wide range of career paths beyond traditional farming, including science, research, finance, and technology.
Although the foundation has only been operating for about eight months, its growth has exceeded expectations. The organization is already working with hospitals in Iowa City and Peoria and has quickly built a network of volunteers committed to supporting its mission.
Every member of the foundation’s board serves on a volunteer basis, donating their time and energy to help families in need while preserving Millie’s legacy. Community support has fueled much of the organization’s early success, allowing it to host multiple fundraising and awareness events, including a memorial walk, blood drive, and strength-based fundraising competitions.
One of the foundation’s most significant recent achievements came through Sterling Federal Bank’s Charity Challenge, where the organization received $20,000. The majority of those funds have already been distributed directly to families in need, reflecting the foundation’s commitment to putting donations to work as quickly as possible.
Since its creation, the Millie Moo Foundation has extended assistance to families across the country, including recipients in Maine, Arizona, Texas, and Georgia. What began as a local effort has already developed into an organization with a growing national reach.
For Wesley and Gabby, the mission remains simple: honor Millie’s life by helping others through some of their most difficult moments. Every donation, volunteer hour, and community partnership helps continue the work of spreading the love and light that inspired the foundation’s creation.
Those interested in learning more about the Millie Moo Foundation, making a donation, or supporting its scholarship and family assistance programs can find additional information through the organization’s website, themilliemoofoundation.org, and Facebook page.
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