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| Anneke Osterkamp Greco (left), Megan Clougherty Lieb, Kelley Driscoll and Colleen Clougherty Carrol |
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Meet Other Supporters
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The Future of Philanthropy
Kelley Callahan Driscoll, assistant director of Major and Planned Gifts at our Foundation Department, saw an opportunity to encourage women her age to get involved in something bigger than themselves. She enlisted her childhood friends Megan Clougherty Lieb, Colleen Clougherty Carroll and Anneke Osterkamp Greco, and the Juniors of Childrens Hospital Los Angeles were born.
“We chose to create this group because we believe in Childrens Hospital,” says Ms. Driscoll. “We wanted our friends to know how important it is to support the hospital so that it’s here for our kids and grandkids.” The women quickly kicked off a lively and active group, recruiting nearly 100 friends and acquaintances to join them in their mission—“To support Childrens Hospital Los Angeles by raising funds and awareness for the institution and to act as advocates for the children, families and staff that we so passionately support.” Their membership runs the gamut, from full-time moms to college and graduate school students to attorneys.
Why They Do It
Mrs. Greco, who works in commercial real estate for CB Richard Ellis, had a few good reasons to get involved. The first was her father, who served as a physician at Childrens Hospital until just a few years ago. The second was the child she was expecting—Abigail was born on April 14, 2008. “When you have children, you realize that nothing is more important than your child’s health,” she says. “Childrens Hospital is the perfect place to support.” Mrs. Lieb also has two very good reasons to support the hospital—her sons Thomas, 2, and Owen, 1. A stay-at-home mom, she was very moved by her tour of the hospital. “The group has opened up our hearts to these children, and has also given us the opportunity to be a part of something new; we are all learning so much from each other,” she says.
Current Affairs
The Juniors have an active Internet presence, staying in touch via the group’s blog and on Facebook. They’ve already held numerous events, and are planning their first large-scale gala for Spring 2009. Co-chairs for the event are Amy Hough and Michelle Hammerstein.
Ms. Driscoll’s connection to the hospital is quite personal—her brother, Brian, received a heart transplant at Childrens Hospital at age 13. Though he ultimately passed away at 18, the Driscoll family sees those five intervening years as a gift. “I am deeply touched that so many of my friends have come together to support this cause that they know means so much to me and my parents,” she says. “The moment you step into Childrens Hospital you know that you are surrounded by greatness, by hope. With the Juniors, we want to help people see this institution for what is really is—a place where miracles happen.”
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