D'Onofrios support the Lily Fund

Lily Fund effort unites neighbors for a good cause

The Villager, 12.23.09
By Fred Soffa

Recently East Villagers gathered twice to mark the beginning of The Lily Fund, Inc., a nonprofit group dedicated to providing hope and happiness to families living with pediatric brain tumors. The Lily Fund was started in response to a local family — residents of the Christodora House on Avenue B — experiencing the trauma and uncertain future of having their young daughter diagnosed with a nonoperable brain tumor. What began as a group of friends and neighbors providing informal yet critical help has morphed into a full-fledged foundation with the ultimate aim of providing funds for research that, for whatever reason, are remarkably scarce.

The first event was a comedy show at The Laugh Lounge on Essex St., Nov. 20. The fundraiser was the brainchild of Lily Fund board member Marijke Briggs and Carla Johnston. Johnston, a comic and actress, organized the lineup that was emcee’d by Preston Simpson and headlined by Brad Zimmerman in addition to hosting a slew of wonderful New York comics. An eclectic crowd gathered inside and out.

“It was great to see such an extended community sharing a great time, united for a great reason,” said Briggs.

On the next day, 45 families, from the East Village and beyond, streamed through the Bathhouse Studios on E. 11th St. for a “holiday family photo shoot” fundraiser.

Beyond fundraising, the events had another aim. Said Mud Coffee owner and board member Nina Berott: “The activities The Lily Fund produces to raise awareness and funds for pediatric brain tumor research are an example of what can happen when a community gets together to support a cause. The energy of love the friends of The Lily Fund have for each other creates an unbeatable strength that can change anything. The East Village is the critical mass in our case to spread the word and the good vibes to make a difference for all children and their families that are affected.”

...Also participating was Carin van der Donk, with her husband Vince and her sons Elias and Luca.

“We had a great time,” said van der Donk. “Elias loved the food!” (Thanks to Gnocco and S’MAC — Sarita’s Macaroni and Cheese.) “It was nice to see the neighborhood faces again,” she said. “Moving just a few blocks north out of the East Village was a true culture shock.” Read full article