Hello friendly faces! It’s that time of the week! We’re back with a new Chicago North Shore Moms spotlight brought to you in part by Mary Gifford of Gifford Law.
Highland Park mom of two and absolute burst of sunshine and literal life-saver, Jessica Merar, started the Chicago chapter of The Dragonfly Foundation in 2020 to bring support, courage, strength and joy to families undergoing pediatric cancer treatments. The Canadian transplant has put down strong roots in Highland Park where her career has zigzagged. A certified child life specialist, Jessica brought bedside support to hospitalized children and their families at Lurie Children’s. And a career in pharmaceutical sales taught her strong sales and fundraising skills that would later play an important role in the current success of Dragonfly’s impact on the families they serve. In Chicago North Shore Moms’ exclusive interview, get to know Jessica’s favorite North Shore hot spots with and without the kids, her stellar mantra to live by and ways anyone can help further The Dragonfly mission (psst.. join us at the Night of Courage at the Derby on May 4th!) Welcome, Jessica!
Hi Jess! Please introduce yourself. Where are you from originally? What city do you live in now? What brought you here?
Hi! A little fun fact is that I am actually Canadian! I was born in Toronto but spent most of my childhood in Highland Park. I am now happily back in Highland Park with my husband (who also grew up here) and our two girls – we came back to be close to family and friends, and our girls actually go to school where we met in 3rd grade… wild!
Tell us about your little cuties and feel free to brag away!
My girls could not be more different from each other – my 8 year old dances from the moment she wakes up until she goes to bed and every minute in between. We are so proud of her confidence and ability to perform. My 5 year old is a delicious snuggler, loves to test the rules, and make us laugh every single day… we love her fierce, hilarious, and independent spirit. They are a dynamic duo and we’re in a super fun stage with them right now – I’m trying to soak up the moments!
What are one or two fun or interesting facts to know about you?
I grew up playing the piano and will still play for the girls… I like to get sheet music for their current music favorites or movie soundtracks. People are always shocked when I whip out Beethoven’s Fur Elise!
I also used to teach a super fun dance class called “Pomsquad” – think choreographed routines to fun music, all while holding poms. Maybe one day I’ll find some time to get back into it!
Your mantra is…
“Life has no remote… get up and change it yourself.”
I wholeheartedly live by this. I can’t even tell you how many times I’ve felt ‘stuck’ or needed a change and just went for it. From hospital bedside care to pharmaceutical sales to teaching and now running a nonprofit… I never get bored and truly believe you can do whatever you put your mind to!
LOVE that mantra! What are your favorite North Shore places, spaces and eats to frequent?
Central Café is my go-to spot for coffee and/or lunch meetings.
Hometown is great also. As is Tala – love their coffee and gluten free muffins (50% of my family has celiac!)
I adore working from Dayhouse Coworking – best coworking space around.
I can never have enough Bright Bowls!!
I spend way too much time at Legendary Spa – the BEST for manis, facials, brows, spray tans, etc.
I absolutely love Avgolemono soup and Greek Feast has my favorite one.
My recent obsession (and therapy) has been Pulse Fitness… their Get Strong classes absolutely get my day started and I am a better person thanks to them!
What gets you through a rough patch?
Those who know me know I LOVE a hot drink… mostly coffee and tea, but I do not discriminate! I have multiple cups a day – from any caffeination station. I also love a good bubble bath at the end of a long day, as well as some good (bad) reality TV and snuggles with the family.
Please introduce The Dragonfly Foundation. What is the mission and vision, and how has this mission or vision transformed since its inception in Ohio?
The Dragonfly Foundation started in Cincinnati almost 15 years ago when our Founder (Christine Neitzke)’s son was diagnosed with lymphoma. Her goal was to “become family” to pediatric cancer patients and their families… to rally behind them, bring community together, and truly make a difference in their day to day. She succeeded in a major way. In my role at Lurie Children’s, I was lucky enough to use them for our patients from afar, but in March 2020 I was honored to bring a physical presence to the Chicagoland area and officially open this chapter.
Our mission remains the same… to support pediatric cancer patients and their families by offering courage, strength and joy at time of diagnosis, throughout treatment, and beyond. We never would have imagined that the chapter would grow as big as it has, and we are thrilled to see the impact we’re able to make on our families being treated at our eight partner hospitals.
Photo credit: Tracy Bielenberg, owner of Shay James Photography
What is your role at Dragonfly? Does anyone work with you? Who and what is their role?
I am the Director of the Chicago chapter, and feel incredibly lucky to have the most wonderful, dedicated team. Silvia Dulsat Planas joined me as an intern in 2022 and I was thrilled to hire her in 2023 as our Manager of Programs and Patient Relations. We also have a stellar Advisory Board and a great pool of committee members and volunteers.
Photo credit: Jenny May Stringer
What did you do before you became director of the Chicago chapter?
I am a Certified Child Life Specialist and spent most of my career bedside at Lurie Children’s, providing procedure preparation, distraction, and overall coping support to hospitalized children and their families. I dabbled in pharmaceutical sales, and although it was not my passion, I learned how to grow a business and hone my sales and fundraising skills. I did a brief stint as a stay at home mom and realized I missed my clinical skills and was eager to get back into the workforce.
Give us the numbers because they are so good! How have you grown this chapter since becoming involved?
I rarely take time to step back and appreciate how much we have grown in just 4 years. In our first 6 months we raised $40,000. We closed out fiscal year 2023 just under $400,000. But our pride comes in what we’re able to do for those we serve – from one hospital to eight, serving a few families to hundreds, being able to offer one program to now many… we have lofty goals and know we can keep the momentum going!
How exactly does Dragonfly work? Can you give us an example of a time when a family in need reached out for support and how Dragonfly was able to help?
Yes, these are our favorite stories to share – we love being transparent with donors and showing where funds are spent! Front line staff such as social workers and child life specialists meet their patients and families and assess their needs. They then reach out for support and there is no application needed… this is what we call our ‘Urgent Request’ program. Anything from car seats, to gas cards to cover the cost to treatment, to grocery support, to blue playdough when the playroom only has white… most recently, a sweet teen had a dream of becoming a Chicago Police Officer and we were able to connect with the CPD to induct her! It is a dream come true that we are able to support our families in these ways and connect with the community to make an impact day after day.
Dragonfly’s annual gala, Night of Courage, is coming up on May 4, 2024 and Chicago North Shore Moms is so honored to be a sponsor of the event! What’s in store for this year?
Our absolute favorite event of the year, Night of Courage, is coming up on May 4th! It will be at the brand new Fields’ Lexus of Glenview and will be a “Dragonfly Derby”… think live music, open bar, food, silent and live auctions, horse races, and more! Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are available… please visit fundraiser.bid/DragonflyDerby24 to learn more!
Photographed by Jonathan Body | © 2022 TK Photography | www.tkphotographychicago.com
How can our readers help get involved or donate to Dragonfly?
We love partnering with local businesses for fundraisers, working with schools to get kids involved, bringing on new volunteers for help at events and backend support, offering guidelines for gift card and toy drives… the list goes on! I can clearly talk about Dragonfly for hours… anyone is welcome to reach out so we can chat more if interested!
Is there anything else you’d like us to know about Dragonfly?
I’m just so grateful for the love and support this community has shown Dragonfly. Since day one, restaurants have been participating in giveback nights, businesses have been coming up with creative ways to partner, people have been showing up to events, hospital teams have been receptive to the support, outlets like Chicago North Shore Moms have shared features like this for awareness… this is an absolute dream come true and I hope the success continues so we can keep making an impact every single day!
About our Meet a Mom Sponsor
A very heartfelt thank you to CNSMoms’ Meet a Mom sponsor, Lake Forest mom of three and owner of Gifford Law, a solo Estate Planning Firm (wills and trusts). Mary, we appreciate your support of local moms in our North Shore communities! Learn more about Mary by visiting her Meet a Mom spotlight here! Contact Mary directly here: [email protected].