Jody Vilardo first got involved with The Children's Inn at NIH in 2001 through her Garden Club when they created "Thoughtful Treasures". The Inn is "a place like home for families with children participating in leading-edge research studies at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Bethesda, Maryland". The "Thoughtful Treasure" program ensures that each day, each family's mailbox is filled with a surprise - crafts, notes, goodies provided by volunteers. From that point on, Jody and shortly after Dick were hooked on The Inn! As they donated and served on a committee to help fundraise for The Inn's kitchen renovations, they introduced their family and friends to The Inn. 

Since Jody and Dick's passing, The Vilardo Foundation has been proud to continue the support of The Children's Inn through in-kind donations, volunteering opportunities and financial support. Here are the programs/initiatives we have supported:

​

2020-2022

• Our annual volunteering activities had to take a bit of a back seat due to COVID restrictions at The Inn, but we are excited to return to maintaining the vegetable gardens in Spring 2022.

• We raised $3000 in donations from the 5th Annual Memorial Golf tournament to put towards meals and Thoughtful treasures.

2019  

• In May, we returned to The Inn to clean and plant the vegetable gardens. Friends of Jody spent the day of the Memorial Golf Tournament making adorable "boo-boo bunnies" for the "Thoughtful Treasures" program.  We also collected and donated colored pencils, crayons and coloring books both for adults and children. 

• Per The Inn's request we reallocated $10,000 of funding to expand and enhance the wellness offerings provided at The Inn for teens and young adults. These offerings include professional services and personalized activities.  

2018  

• $10,0000 has been allocated to sponsoring the growth of their young adult program (ages 18-30). In partnership with NIH's Clinical Center, this program will include peer-to-peer support groups, educational programs, and social activities.

• $10,000 has been allocated to the INNrichment Program, a relatively new program designed to provide “scholarships”, through a grant award process, for Inn residents to pay for an activity or program in their community that will enrich their lives.

• This year's volunteering efforts included serving dinner and creating cards with the families at the Inn for Valentine's Day. This year we were joined by members of The NIH Philharmonic. In May, Friends of Jody spent the day of the Memorial Golf Tournament making adorable Sock Puppets for the "Thoughtful Treasures" program.  With the Inn suffering roof damage and subsequent closure of 2 kitchens, we also provided snack bags and baked goods for families to grab and go. 

2017 

• Almost $15,0000 has been allocated to sponsoring the growth of their young adult program (ages 18-30). In partnership with NIH's Clinical Center, this program will include peer-to-peer support groups, educational programs, and social activities.

• $10,000 has been allocated to the INNrichment Program, a relatively new program designed to provide “scholarships”, through a grant award process, for Inn residents to pay for an activity or program in their community that will enrich their lives.

• Continued volunteering efforts to include serving dinner and creating cards with the families at the Inn for Valentine's Day. In May 2017, for the second year, we were able to plant the vegetable gardens and our Friends of Jody picked up right where Jody left off, gathering donations and creating "Thoughtful Treasures" on 4 separate occasions. We also assisted with pantry and closet organization of incoming donations and wrap gifts for the Holidays.

2016 

• Provided $60,000 to provide indoor/outdoor surround sound system to be used for music, communication and in emergency situations.

• Cultivated an outdoor patio space honoring Dick and Jody for the families to enjoy year round. This space includes comfortable furniture, grills, a fire-pit, and colorful art with two of Jody's favorite things... flowers and cats!

• Volunteer events to include garden clean-out/planting and Christmas present wrapping.

 

We are proud to continue to partner with our friends at The Inn!