This week we’re spotlighting the team LilBird’s Wings! LilBird’s Wings is a family team walking in honor of 9-year-old Lily Elrod; she has always been lovingly called LilBird by her parents and family. She was diagnosed with T1D in November 2009 shortly after her fifth birthday. This is the team’s fifth year to walk, and LilBird’s immediate family has always been joined by extended family members and friends. Each year, their team t-shirts are designed by friends who recreate their cute cartoon bird mascot to fit the annual Walk theme. Their bird has been depicted walking a tightrope, sporting Olympic medals, on a stage dancing like Lily, and always wearing the JDRF sneakers.

Walking for JDRF gives Lily and her family hope that someday she will be cured; the united support of all of the donors, walkers and fellow teams renews this hope each year. In four years, LilBird’s Wings has raised close to $7,500 and hopes to reach a five-year goal of $10,000. In addition to simply asking for donations, LilBird’s Wings has held annual bake sales at Lily’s dance studio and her sister’s gym, had a chili lunch at her Uncle’s office, sold homemade peach salsa (shipped as far as California), sold paper sneakers at Dad’s office, sold duct-tape creations to friends, and this year has utilized booster.com to design a t-shirt for anyone who loves someone with T1D. Their bake sales are an event not to be missed! LilBird’s family enjoys the opportunity to educate bake sale customers about T1D when they inevitably are asked about the irony of selling sweets to support a cure.

The unique booster t-shirt is only available until September 16th and can be purchased at booster.com/lilbirdswings.  The first bake sale for this year is scheduled for October 13th (4-8 PM) at Soul II Sole Performing Arts at 146th & Memorial in Bixby. The second bake sale will be October 20th (4-8 PM) at Ultimate Gymnastics at 42nd & Yukon in Tulsa. Visit LilBird’s Team page  and Click Here to see a video telling a little more of Lily’s story.