Hope On The Farm: The Millie Moo Story

06/17/2026

Listen to WQUD Vintage Radio 107.7 this morning to hear from The Millie Moo Foundation Vice President Hunter Littrel!

He’ll be discussing our biggest event to date, Hope on the Fairway Golf Outing.

06/16/2026

✨ Meet the Leaders, Janelle McClaine, Family Intake Coordinator ✨

Janelle is a lifelong Port Byron resident and Riverdale graduate who has been married to her high school sweetheart for 18 years. Together, they are raising two teenage sons and enjoy spending their free time outdoors, whether fishing, riding side-by-sides, cruising, or cheering on their boys at sporting events.

Janelle serves as the Family Intake Coordinator for The Millie Moo Foundation, where she conducts the administrative review of family assistance applications. Her responsibilities include verifying that applications are complete, ensuring all required documentation and signatures have been received before the review process moves forward.

Janelle has long known many members of the DeClercq family and has grown close to Gabby and Wes through the Foundation. She is inspired by their ability to transform unimaginable loss into hope and meaningful support for families facing pediatric cancer.

Here is what Janelle had to share directly about her involvement:

✨ What inspired you to get involved with The Millie Moo Foundation?

As my children have grown older and more independent, the time and energy they once needed from me has naturally lessened. I found myself wanting to invest that time into something purposeful and impactful. I started following Millie's story from the very beginning. You simply couldn't help but want to do something to help that brave little girl and her beautiful family. Seeing so many individuals come together to remember Millie and push the mission forward was and is truly inspiring. I am incredibly honored to dedicate my time to helping the Millie Moo Foundation ease the burden for families fighting pediatric cancer and to carry Millie's legacy on.

✨ What does our mission mean to you personally?

The Millie Moo mission means showing up for others with compassion, kindness, and support. Personally, I have encountered a few families who have experienced childhood cancer diagnosis, and to be a part of this organization is also to honor them. Through my professional career, I've learned often the most meaningful thing you can do is simply be present and listen in a time of need. To me, the mission is about helping families feel supported and cared for while carrying on Millie's legacy of love and joy.

✨ How do you hope to make an impact through your role?

While my role keeps me behind the scenes rather than working directly with families, I am dedicated to ensuring our administrative reviews are completed both thoroughly and timely. My background in leadership, business operations and the in-home care field has prepared me to manage this vital step with both precision and heart. By keeping our backend process seamless and organized, I hope to help pave a smooth path for the foundation to deliver support to families when they need it most.

✨ What do you hope others feel when they hear about The Millie Moo Foundation?

When people hear about the Millie Moo Foundation, I hope they feel inspired and realize that no act of kindness is too small. Millie was just a "small" girl, but she has already done "big" things.

Janelle’s compassion, attention to detail, and dedication help ensure every family begins their journey with The Millie Moo Foundation feeling seen, supported, and cared for. We are incredibly grateful to have her as part of our team and thankful for the heart she brings to our mission every day.

06/16/2026

Yesterday, we shared the numbers. Today, here’s one that hits especially close to home. 💛🐄

Of the 47 families The Millie Moo Foundation has been honored to support, more than 60% have received care at the University of Iowa Health Care Stead Family Children's Hospital.

For our family, that’s more than just a statistic. It’s a reminder that many of the families we’re helping are walking familiar hallways, sitting through long appointments, and facing the same uncertainty that so many before them have experienced.

When we started this foundation, our hope was simple: to make sure families facing pediatric cancer never felt alone. Knowing that we’re able to support so many families in a place that means so much to our own story makes this mission feel incredibly close to home.

What began with one family’s journey is now reaching dozens of others. And because of this amazing community, that number continues to grow.

Thank you for helping us keep Millie’s light shining and bringing hope to families when they need it most. 🐄

06/14/2026

THE MILLIE MOO FOUNDATION — BY THE NUMBERS

❤️ 47 families supported.
💵 Over $42,000 distributed in direct assistance.
🏡 Mortgage payments, utility bills, groceries, gas cards, and everyday essentials provided to families battling pediatric cancer.
⭐ $20,000 received through the Sterling Federal Bank Charity Challenge.
⚡ 100% of those funds were put back into the hands of families in need in just two months.

Behind every number is a family carrying a burden no one should have to face alone. Every act of generosity has helped lift that burden and remind them they have an entire community standing beside them.

If you’ve donated, volunteered, sponsored an event, shared one of our posts, or simply cheered us on, thank you. You are part of these numbers.

Now we’d love to hear from you. In the comments, tell us why you choose to support local families facing pediatric cancer. Your words may inspire someone else to join our mission.

Together, we’ve helped 47 families. How many more can we reach before the end of the year? 🐄💙

06/11/2026

The Millie Moo Foundation is proud to announce Savannah Wuebben as the inaugural recipient of the Millie Moo Foundation Scholarship from Erie High School.

Savannah plans to attend the University of Illinois to pursue a career as a registered dietitian. Growing up in a family rooted in agriculture, she developed a passion for nutrition and community health, with the goal of using her education to make a lasting impact on the lives of others.

Scholarship Q&A with Savannah

✨ What does receiving the Millie Moo Foundation Scholarship mean to you?

Receiving the Millie Moo Foundation Scholarship is truly an honor. I am incredibly grateful to be selected as the first recipient of this scholarship. Knowing that this sch olarship was created to support students pursuing careers in agriculture makes it even more meaningful to me. It gives me confidence as I begin my journey toward becoming a registered dietitian and motivates me to continue working hard so that, eventually, I can come back and serve the community that has shaped me.

✨ What inspired you to pursue a future in agriculture?

Specifically, my grandpa, Marlin Riewerts, and his dedication to our family beef and grain farm inspired me to pursue a future in agriculture. Growing up around my mom's side of the family allowed me to see the hard work, commitment, and knowledge required to maintain a successful farm. Running around our farm with my grandmother, Sylvia Riewerts, allowed me to identify all of our farmland. I learned the importance of each field and the locations of our bull barns. I only learned these things by being a curious child. My Grandma Riewerts never failed to answer my questions. Asking how our cattle grew the way they did sparked my curiosity about how nutrition impacts livestock. As I explored agricultural nutrition and the career opportunities it could provide, I ultimately decided to pursue an education in agriculture.

✨ What advice would you give to younger students interested in agriculture?

My advice would be to stay curious and never be afraid to ask questions. Some of the most valuable lessons I learned came from listening to the experiences and stories of farmers and others involved in agriculture. Their personal stories taught me things that could never be fully explained in a textbook. By staying engaged and eager to learn, anyone can discover how many opportunities and career paths agriculture has to offer.

Savannah's commitment to service, education, and strengthening her community embodies the spirit of the Millie Moo Foundation. We are honored to name her as the very first recipient of this scholarship from Erie, IL and cannot wait to see all that she accomplishes.

Please join us in congratulating Savannah Wuebben and wishing her the very best as she begins this exciting new chapter!

06/10/2026

Millie’s parents Wesley and Gabby DeClercq sat down with The Radar to tell her courageous story.

Listen/Watch here: https://theradar.online/along-the-rock-s3-ep-106-how-one-family-turned-loss-into-purpose-millie-moo-foundation/

💔 Their daughter’s life was tragically cut short. What happened next is inspiring families across America.

Wesley and Gabby DeClercq turned unimaginable loss into a mission that is helping families battling pediatric cancer from Illinois to Maine, Texas, Arizona, and beyond.

Hear the incredible story behind the Millie Moo Foundation and how one little girl’s legacy is changing lives.

🎧 Watch now:
https://theradar.online/along-the-rock-s3-ep-106-how-one-family-turned-loss-into-purpose-millie-moo-foundation/

06/08/2026

Some weeks, there isn’t a special anniversary or milestone to recognize. Sometimes, it’s simply important to pause and remember the reason this foundation exists.

Millie taught us what true courage looks like. Through every challenge, she showed strength, joy, and a love that reached far beyond her years. While her journey with pediatric cancer changed our family forever, it also sparked a mission to make sure other families don’t have to face those difficult days alone.

Every family we support, every event we host, every dollar raised, and every volunteer who gives their time is part of the legacy she left behind.

The Millie Moo Foundation is more than a nonprofit—it’s a promise that Millie’s light will continue to shine through acts of kindness, compassion, and community.

Thank you for helping us keep her story alive and for ensuring that her impact continues to grow. 💛🐄

Forever our why. Forever our inspiration.

06/07/2026

⛳️ Join Us for Lunch at the Millie Moo Foundation Golf Outing! ⛳️

While all of our sponsorship opportunities have officially sold out, there’s still a way to be part of this special day!

Purchase a lunch ticket and join us for great food, community, and a chance to support families facing pediatric cancer. Lunch attendees are also welcome to participate in our silent auction and raffle opportunities.

Whether you’re a golfer, a supporter, or simply looking for a way to give back, we’d love to have you join us.

💛 Lunch Ticket: $20
📅 : July 25, 2026
📍 : Byron Hills Golf Course, Port Byron, IL 61275

Come enjoy lunch, browse our amazing auction items, and help make a difference for families navigating the challenges of pediatric cancer.

To purchase a lunch ticket, please visit: https://givebutter.com/milliemoogolf