9409 Ludgate Drive
Alexandria, VA 22309
ph: 703-360-9660
IrelandPatty_aol.com
The Laila Rose Foundation
Helping One Family and Child at a Time
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Welcome to
The Laila Rose Foundation was established in 2006, in loving memory of our precious Laila Rose Engh, whom we lost at the tender age of four in a tragic automobile accident, along with her devoted mother, Lisa Engh. Laila Rose was an exuberant ray of sunshine in the lives of all who knew her. To our family, she was a pure delight for the short time we were blessed to hold her. Laila was a beautiful child, secure and confident in the warmth and love of her family. For Laila Rose, each day was a celebration of dance, song and utter joy. Our lives changed forever the day we lost Laila Rose and her incredible mother, Lisa.
As a result of this tragedy we resolved to turn our grief into action and find a way for Laila's legacy to bring the sort of joy to others that she brought to our lives as a daughter, sister, granddaughter, neice and friend.
The mission of the Laila Rose Foundation is to provide financial assistance to meet the medical and surgical needs of adopted children and their families. Our hope is to give children the gift of confidence and joy that Laila Rose exuded every day in her short life.
Please consider joining us in our mission. The Laila Rose Foundation has already made a difference, and we hope you will help us bring more smiles to beautiful faces and strengthen the families who have opened their hearts and homes to these precious souls.
Laila's Hope...On Giving
We are constantly in a fund raising cycle to continue our good works. We thank all of our supporters who have brought us to this point of success. Of course, there is always need and we seek more financial assistance. In turn, we will be able to alleviate the inevitable financial strains that families face while overcoming medical and surgical obstacles.
With confidence, we promise that:
-100% of donations go directly to families for medical care
-Your contribution is 100% tax deductible and we will send you a letter to document this fact
-You will receive updates to the foundation's work, including success stories
Juliana Carver
Background Story:
Until Sunday, February 18, 2007 we had no idea there was anything wrong with our beautiful, happy, confident five-year-old daughter. She came into our room that morning complaining about a "bump" under her right arm. The bump turned out to be a swollen lymph node and we discovered the next day at the pediatrician's office that she also had a tumor on her right forearm. After x-rays and an MRI, we recieved that awful call from the doctor--it appeared the tumor was cancerous and that it had matastisized to the lymph node. The next two weeks went by in a blur as we drove back and forth each day to the hospital for exams, blood work, numerous scans, a biopsy and surgery. Julie's treatment will include weekly chemotherapy for 42 weeks, daily radiation for six weeks and possibly more surgery to remove the tumor after is shrinks.
We adopted Julie from Minsk, Belarus on August 26, 2003 when she was 20 months old. We believe that God placed her in our family for a reason. Had she remained in the orphanage in Belarus, she would not have received treatment for her cancer. Instead, God allowed her to be adopted into an American family where some of the best medical care in the world is within driving distance and surrounded her with many, many loving, caring family members and friends.
Juliana's story:
Juliana was diagnosed with stage three, group three Alveolar Rhabdomyosarcoma on March 7, 2007. She had 28 days of radiation therapy and 42 weeks of chemotherapy. Julie now has "no evidence of disease" and will continue to get scans every 3 months. She faces a 60-70% relapse rate during the first 18 months off treatment. Please keep praying!
Christy
Christian is a young girl from China who had a grossly disfiguring facial tumor, when she arrived in the United States with her new adoptive family. We were thrilled that the Foundation could defray some of the cost of the numerous surgeries needed to restore this child's face to its natural beauty and give her the bright, carefree smile that her family now sees each day.
Noah & Daniel Stretch
Hear about this beautiful family by visiting...
http://www.cmnjax.com/miracle_stretch.htm
Levi Harver
Learn about Levi's journey at:
www.journeytolevi.blogspot.com
Cana Richards
Cana is 3 years old and suffers from Sensory Processing Disorder.
Watch this You Tube video about this amazing young lady...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ck4APPgOzFg
Ellie Mattox
Ellie is a beautiful young lady that was born with spina bifida. At 4 years old, she walked across the room for the very first time! She has come so far!
To see more pictures and videos of Ellie, visit:
http://meimeimakesfour.blogspot.com
Michael was born in Jin Zhong City in the province of Shanxi, China on July 1, 2006. He was found on July 2, 2006. He had a unilateral cleft lip and palate. While in China, he lived in an orphanage for special needs children. In November of 2007, his lip was repaired at a hospital in China. After recovering from surgery, he was returned to the orphanage. He lived there until July 14, 2008 when we adopted him. Fortunately, unlike many cleft children Michael was very healthy.
At the beginning of this year he was still only saying one or two words at a time. He had surgery in August to completely close his palate. After this, he began to start saying more phrases. Now, he is making complete sentences and asking for things he want. He knows his color and shapes and can count into the double digits. He loves to read, color, sing, and play. He enjoys playing with his trains for hours on end. This year his personality has blossomed. He is a fun loving child who has more energy that the Energizer Bunny. He is a comedian and loves to make people laugh
The Laila Rose Foundation is proud to share with you our Rose Family success stories
Juliana
Levi
Cana
Ellie
Noah & Daniel
Michael
MAKING A DIFFERENCE
The Laila Rose Foundation was established in 2006, in loving memory of our precious Laila-Rose Engh, whom we lost at the tender age of four in a tragic automobile accident. Our lives changed forever the day we lost Laila. As a result of this tragedy, we resolved to turn our grief into action and find a way for Laila's legacy to bring the sort of joy to others that she brought to our lives as a daughter, sister, granddaughter, niece, and friend.
Our partnership with Living Hope Adoptions and some of the families they serve has given us a purpose. The mission of the Laila Rose Foundation is to provide financial assistance to meet the medical and surgical needs of adopted children and their families.
Our wish is to assist one child, one family, at a time and give them hope as they struggle against seemingly insurmountable odds. We believe in the bright futures of adoptable children around the world with correctable medical conditions, and in the adoptive families who are able to see the beauty and grace in each of these children and want to make them a part of their lives.
Thank you to our supporters, our family, and friends who have generously given in honor of Laila to our families in need. Without you, we wouldn't have been able to alleviate some of the family's strain. You have made a difference!
Jeremy Engh, CEO
JOINING OUR MISSION: LIVING HOPE ADOPTIONS OF VIRGINIA
Living Hope Adoptions of Virginia (LHAV) is an affiliate of Living Hope Adoptions of Ft. Washington, Pennsylvania. We are looking forward to a new opportunity to place children from orphanages in China and other countries around the world with American families. When we have the privledge to visit a family who adopted through our agency in the past, it is very encouraging to hear about the life the child is now living. We have an excellent board of directors who are all very loving, busy and productive people. Our present task is to continue to raise funds to the point that we can qualify to apply for the license under our new affiliation. Tammy Smith has been a blessing to our agency. She has helped keep us moving toward our goals. Dr. Karen Rotabi is doing a great job consulting on a variety of issues. She has provided training to our board recently on the Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoptions and she is also working on our website. We are pleased to be working with the Laila Rose Foundation to assist families with medical expenses for adopted children. This will be a great resource for many children and their families.
UPDATE ON JULIANA CARVER
Juliana was diagnosed with Stage III, Group 3 Alveolar Rhabdomyosarcoma (a rare form of cancer) on March 7, 2007. She had 28 days of radiation therapy and 42 weeks of chemotherapy. Julie now has "no evidence of disease" and will continue to get scans every three months.
October 17, 2008
Juliana had her monthly physical at the hospital yesterday. Everything checked out fine. She gained one half of a pound and grew another centimeter. She did not even need blood-work yesterday which mean not finger stick, which of course made her very happy. Julie continues to feel great. She is scheduled to have a full body PET scan and a CT scan of her lungs and right arm as well as her monthly exam all on November 13th--it will be a long day at the hospital.
Julie is having fun playing outside in the leaves, going to school activities, a Fall Fest last weekend and enjoys going bowling.
UPDATE ON CHRISTIE SCHMIDT
(Note: letter written by 12-year old Christie herself)
"My name is Christie Schmidt, I was born in China. I was adopted when I was four years old. I was born with a very large blood tumor on my jaw and lip. It was hard to eat and talk, because it was very big and bleed a lot. When I was four years old, I was adopted and moved to America. I am now 12 years old and have two sisters and one brother. My doctors are in New York, so we get to go there for my appointments and surgeries. I have had 14 so far, I have one more this November, it's a big one but hopefully the last for a long time. After this surgery the orthodontist is going to put braces on me, we are going to wait till spring when my brother gets his off. After that I only need one implant. I am going in the sixth grade and reading is my favorite thing to do. I love to go to Barnes and Noble and look at the books. I could stay all day. I helped out my schools library this summer and it was fun. I am thankful for all the people who have helped me. I was not adoptable because of AVM so I was in a room by myself at the orphanage, and I bled alot. A woman working for the 700 Club came to pick out children who needed clef palate surgery to take to the U.S. She wanted to see others and when she saw me she knew I would not make it if I didn't get help. When my mom saw my picture in the paper her and my dad adpted me 9 months later. My doctor is very good and I'm told he can fix things other doctors can't. A lot of good things have happened since I was adopted, my mom says I am blessed because people care about me and want to help me.
I am thankful and happy.
Love, Christie Schmidt
Throughout the year, The Laila Rose Foundation will publish a newletter to keep our donor family up to date on all the good work their foundation has accomplished.
Check back often to learn what a difference we have made in the past, and what your help can do in the future.
Spring '09
Winter '08
2010 Laila Rose Foundation Fundraiser
Please join us at
Lakota Ranch Saturday, May 8
Click to download our
Spring Rose Event Brochure
2010 Fundraiser
Registration
Price:25
Price:15
Please click "ADD TO CART" for the type of ticket you wish to purchase, and then update the Quantity if you wish to purchase more than one.
PayPal Checkout
The Laila Rose Foundation Second Annual Fundraiser will be held May 5th, 2010.
For information on our previous Fundraisers, please check the links below.
2010
2009
Not only does the Laila Rose Foundation raise funds for worthy family, but we have fun doing it as well.
Check out the photos from previous events!
2008
Sponsors for the Laila Rose Foundation
Thank you to our generous sponsors
Abby Dini
Alley Kat Graphics
Andes Deli & Grocery
Barb Farwell
Brian Martin
Brian Moberly
Charles Butch Sanders
Corner Deli of Remington
Connie Knuppel/BelArt Framing
Createstudios
Debbie Stohlman
Don Haddock
Doug Monaco
Downtown Decorations, Inc.
Elizabeth Bouquet
Empty Oar Designs
Full Moon Farms
Glaceau
Graphic Designs
Jack Kimberlin
Janet Stypula
Jason Hunt
JD Hartman
J&J Oriental Rugs
Joan Brown Interiors
John Harkes
Karen Rotabi
Kathryn Farwell & friends
Krista Mosby Photography
Little Fork Volunteer Fire Department
Matt Nolan
Mike Gayles & The Warriors
Meade Skelton
Nancy S. Wert
Paul Martin
Rappahannock Station
R & L Electric
Robert Bouquet
Suzette Bashar
Southland Concrete
Steven Zvon
Tim Mize
United Site Services of Maryland
Corporate sponsors are essential in helping the Laila Rose Foundation accomplish its mission. Through the generosity and donations of businesses, both local and national, we are able to share the gift of giving to families in need.
Find out more about the various sponsorship opportunities by clicking on one of the colored roses above.
Red Rose Corporate Sponsor:
$5,000 donation to the foundation
•Reserved table at the event (seating for 8)
•Large advertising banner at premium location at the event
•Prominent listing in our event program
•$100 of rattle tickets at the event
•Logo and company name in our Laila Rose Foundation newsletter and related mailings for one year
•Logo and company name on Laila Rose Foundation website pre & post event for one year
•Hospitality basket
•Reserved parking at the event
Pink Rose Corporate Sponsor:
$2,500 donation to the foundation
•$50 of rattle tickets at the event
•Large advertising banner at the event
•Listing in our event program
•Newsletter and Website advertising after the event
White Rose Corporate Sponsor:
$ 1000 donation to the foundation
White Rose Level $1000
•Wine & dinner for 4 at the event
•$25 of rattle tickets at the event
•Advertising at the event
The Laila Rose Foundation is blessed to have the support of a number of very generous individual and corprate sponsors.
individual
corporate
If you believe you or someone you know coul benefit from
please click on our logo below to download our application
Laila Rose Foundation
Application
Having lost our beautiful granddaughter, Laila and her mother, Lisa, our family strives to cherish each other every day. It's our desire to nurture and be thoughtful to the needs of everyone God brings into our lives. The Laila Rose Foundation was established out of our familys desire to turn tragedy into triumph, so that no child would ever have to look into a mirror and feel they were unimportant, unworthy, or without beauty.
My most valuable training with children is having four of my own. I now have eleven grandchildren that teach me something of value every time I am with them. As a grandmother, in concert with other family members and friends, I would like to encourage all people of good will and genuine concern for the health and well-being of young children to join me in this endeavor.
I was a substitute teacher at St. Stephens Episcopal School for 5 years. In the medical industry, I worked as a clinical nurse at the Anderson Orthopedic Clinic for twenty years. I currently serve on the board for Operation Walk Virginia, Living Hope Adoption, and the Steering Committee Board for Mount Vernon Mansion.
I hope to fulfill the goal of the Laila Rose Foundation and to encourage families to open their hearts and their homes to adoptive children who might otherwise become lost in a system that may depersonalize their very existence.
I originally devoted my time to the Laila Rose Foundation out of love for my family, Lisa and Laila. I wanted to feel that their memory would be carried on in a very important way. After working with the foundation for the last year, I've come to change my focus, to not only honor Lisa and Laila, but to help these beautiful faces of young children and their families.
I have my Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and a Masters Degree in Education, with an emphasis on Special Education. I have worked in the public school setting for over 8 years, teaching in the classroom and working with transition and placement for special education students.
Having 6 children of my own, I know how precious each and every moment in the life of a child is. It is my hope to carry out the mission of the Laila Rose Foundation and help to make a difference.
I was attracted to the Laila Rose Foundation as a result of my relationship with the Engh Family. When the tragedy of the death of Laila Rose and her mother, Lisa, impacted their family, I wanted to support them in their effort to establish the Laila Rose Foundation to honor their granddaughter and her mother. As a CPA, my contribution and support has been related to establishing the framework for the Board of Directors to pursue their mission of providing financial assistance to meet the medical and surgical needs of adopted children and their families.
I am a graduate of Gettysburg college with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration. I successfully completed the CPA exam in 1976. I am a shareholder in a local CPA firm that specializes in providing business consulting and tax services to closely held organizations such as the Laila Rose Foundation.
As the father of four daughters, I have chosen to support the Laila Rose Foundation to improve the quality of life for children less fortunate and to provide support to families opening their homes and hearts to these children.
I initially wanted to support the Laila Rose Foundation because of my affection for my dear neighbors and friends, the Enghs. After learning more about the children and families that the foundation has supported, and participating in the May fundraiser, I was certain that this is an organization that I want to devote my time and energy to.
I have my Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and a Masters degree in Business. For 25 years, I have enjoyed a diverse and exciting career at AT&T and have supported our most complex projects and implementations in support of our largest Global Customers. I have enjoyed mentoring and supporting young leaders in the business in the United States, Singapore and Australia.
I am passionate about the health and well being of children and am committed to supporting the mission of the Laila Rose Foundation to make a difference in the life of these special children and their families.
Dr. Thomas F. Cleary was born on a farm in Central Illinois, the second of ten children. He attended a one-room school and later graduated from the University of Notre Dame. He came to Washington to attend Georgetown University Medical School. After a tour in the US Air Force he entered Family Practice in Prince George County, Maryland.
He is retired from practice and has served the Boy Scouts, Chamber of Commerce local civic associations and especially Mount Vernon Mansion and Estates. He has served on boards of the above.
As a friend and neighbor of Patty and Jerry Engh he is interested in aiding them through The Laila Rose Foundation. Dr. Cleary is widowed and has five adult children and two grandchildren.
Katie Werner
with daughter, Olivia
As a member of the board, I hope to honor the spirit of Lisa and Laila through the good work of the foundation established in their name. The bright light of Lisa and Laila continues through the children whose lives have been changed by the establishment of the Laila Rose Foundation.
I earned my Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Relations and Community Studies from St. John Fisher College and my Secondary Education Certification from the University of Mary Washington. I have taught in the Stafford County, Virginia Public School System for 6 years.
As a mother of a child with special needs, I have great respect for the mission of the Laila Rose Foundation. I am committed to support families who open their hearts and homes to children with special needs.
I am a licensed clinical social worker in both the child welfare and medical arenas. For the past 15 years, I have worked for the City of Alexandria-Division of Social Services in child protective services, family preservation, foster care, and residential treatment clients. I am currently the coordinator of CATCH, a program that assures that children whose families come to the attention of child protective services are offered medical, dental, developmental and mental health screenings. The program also assures that all children in the city of Alexandria foster care system are current and have received all of the services listed above. As the coordinator, I am responsible for educating child welfare staff, foster parents and the community in a variety of medical and developmental topics. I work part time as a medical and trauma social worker at Childrens National Medical Center evening, weekends, and on call.
I am an avid community volunteer and along with the Laila Rose Foundation, I am on the Board for Womens Giving Circle of Alexandria as a co-chair of the Gift Committee. Born and raised outside of Pittsburgh, in Jeannette, I received my Bachelor of Science from Indiana University of Pennsylvania before moving to Washington D.C. I completed my Master of Social Work at Howard University in 1994.
Since 1988, John Carver (President of The Carver Group) has provided insurance and retirement investing services to thousands of people, in many states, through his independent insurance and retirement planning firm. He also co-pastors Faith Outreach Chapel in Baltimore, Maryland.
John is the father of six children adopted from Russia and Belarus. In February 2007, Johns youngest daughter, Juliana, (then age 5) was diagnosed with a rare pediatric cancer called Rhabdomyosarcoma. It was a horrible blow to the Carver family. Juliana underwent four surgeries, six weeks of daily radiation and fourteen rounds of chemotherapy over the course of a year. Juliana has been off treatment since February 2008 and remains cancer free.
The Laila Rose Foundation can trace it's success to the guidance offered by it's amazing Board of Directors
Jeremy Engh
Mike Wicks
Patricia Engh
Mark Hamilton
Peg Fry
Jill Engh
Tom Cleary
Peggy Stypula
Mike Flynn
John Carver
Contact Us...We'd Love to Hear From You!
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The Laila Rose Foundation is a registered non-profit organization and is recognized as such as under 501C-3 regulations by the Internal Revenue Service. Donations are tax deductible.
