A Catholic school student’s continuing desire to help the homeless of Camden will be fulfilled at “Lily’s 4th annual fundraiser” on May 7 – an event that will feature live music, food and a chance to bid on gift baskets, with proceeds intended for Cooper University Health Care’s homeless outreach.
Lily, the little red-headed dynamo behind the fundraiser, is 9.
No, that’s not a misprint: Lily Cuticchia is a 9-year-old, fourth-grade student in Saint Rose of Lima School, Haddon Heights. She is a veteran organizer of events to benefit the less fortunate who seek care in the Cooper health care system where Lily’s mother, Jordan Warner, works.
Lily has been hard at work on this year’s fundraiser; the family had been accepting baskets and gift basket items; now, monetary donations via Venmo are needed and can be accepted until the event date. Prize baskets will include items such as Lego sets, art supplies, lottery tickets, treats and sundries.
Her activism all began with a wish to aid the poor during the pandemic. As a 6-year-old in July 2020, the youngster donated nearly 1,200 pairs of new socks she had collected from her friends, family and community. The philanthropic seed was planted.
“I thought we could keep it up each year, but do something different,” Lily said.
Next came a bake sale in 2021, which netted her more than $2,000 for the homeless; the proceeds were used to buy and stuff 200 backpacks with essential supplies and personal toiletries, which Cooper University Health Care distributed to those in need.
“I work in Cooper’s addiction medicine clinic and emergency room and see lots of substance abuse and homeless patients,” Lily’s mother explained. “Socks and toiletries really come in handy.”
Year three’s focus was dogs – not surprisingly, since Lily’s household holds four canine family members. Lily’s bake sale bounty last year helped purchase about 2,000 pounds of dog food, which was donated to the Gloucester County Animal Shelter in Clayton.
Warner’s decision to enroll her daughter in Catholic schooling sprang from her own history; the mother of three attended Saint Mary School, Gloucester City, and Gloucester Catholic High School.
Lily’s message to other children wishing to make a difference is simple and direct. “You can do anything you want to do, just try hard enough,” she said.
“Lily’s 4th annual fundraiser” will be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on May 7 at 133 Blenheim Ave., Haddon Township. To donate funds, see the family’s Venmo page at Jordan-Murphy-58.
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