HISTORY

In 2003, one of our founders, Andie McConnell, moved in down the street from a family whose son was a brain cancer survivor. In getting to know this family, she learned of the family’s struggles and loneliness when faced with pediatric cancer. These conversations stuck with her through the years and became very important in 2009 when the child of an acquaintance was diagnosed with a rare form of pediatric brain cancer. In hopes of easing the financial burden brought on by cancer, she began fundraising and in doing so, a great passion was born. As the fundraising unfolded, the family she was helping became dear friends and one day the mom asked if Andie would be the “fairy godmother” for her children. In that moment,  Fairy Godmother Project was born.

The first step in getting the project underway was to survey families faced with pediatric cancer and use their answers to shape the plan for the project.  What Andie didn’t expect was the need and void expressed by most of the families. They shared that people disappeared because they couldn’t handle the reality of pediatric cancer. They all expressed a need for help with daily household tasks and with their other children.

This leads us to part one of the mission of  Fairy Godmother Project which is to  ease the burden of those faced with pediatric cancer even if only for an hour. Presently, we are making meals, providing professional house cleaning, lawn care plus providing gas  and grocery cards for local families whose children have pediatric cancer. We implemented our Financial Relief Fund in 2014 and are now able to pay bills twice annually for the families served.   We are being connected to families by word of mouth and connections to hospitals but hope one day to offer more services and connect with more families on a larger scale.

The second part of our mission is to provide families with photo sessions donated by professional photographers. Talking with many of these cancer families, we realized what an amazing gift could be given in photography.  This is where co-founder, Stephanie Johnson stepped in. She is the one giving the gift of photography and finding other photographers to give this gift. Their job is to capture the families’ moments, connections and their love for each other despite the stress and worry of dealing with pediatric cancer.

In 2015, we developed a program to support families facing end of life. This program provides much needed emotional and financial support to families when their child dies. Since its inception, we have assisted 7 families as they face end of life, the planning of their children’s services and the financial burden of the funerals.  Additionally, we have group support for the families and  are building community between them in hopes of supporting their grief.

**Photos are shared at the discretion of each family photographed. The purpose of sharing photos/stories is to raise awareness of pediatric cancer in hopes of furthering help for kids and families**

FOUNDERS

ANDIE AYERS, Co-Founder Emeritus

Andie holds both a Bachelors and Masters in Education. Prior to entering the nonprofit world, she was a stay-at-home mom to three and an educator with experience at all levels from preschool to college. Andie is a transplant from New York but considers Virginia her home. Through her work with Fairy Godmother Project, Andie has received many honors including Spirit of Women’s Community Hero Award (2012), Laurie A. Wideman Enterprising Woman Award (2015) and was an Allen & Allen Hometown Hero (2017). Andie’s passion for pediatric families has evolved from experiences through her life and continues to grow from the relationships with the families Fairy Godmother Project serves.

STEPHANIE MAURER, Co-Founder Emeritus

Stephanie manages the Fairy Godmother Project Photography Program. She spent 10 years working in residential treatment, home-based services, and therapeutic foster care as a therapist/case manager. As a second career, she was the owner/photographer of a portrait photography business, BabySnap Photography. She currently works for a photography education platform and MarketNoodle, a marketing agency for photographers that she co-founded. Additionally, she has volunteered her services to Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep, the Downs Syndrome Association of Northern Virginia, and has been involved with FGP since its inception. She has a BA in Psychology from Radford University and an MA in Counseling from Marymount University. Stephanie has 5 kids and loves reading, board games, and the beach.

BOARD MEMBERS

 

DAN CLENDENIN

Dan is currently Managing Director of Cary Street Partners and resides with his family in downtown Fredericksburg, VA. Read More

STEPHANIE MAURER

Stephanie has been the Fredericksburg area for 15 years and manages the Fairy Godmother Project Photography Program. Read More

JAMES MCCLOSKEY

James is the Founding Partner of Simply Home, a custom residential and commercial builder, located in Fredericksburg, Virginia. Read More

NATALIE ROOT
Natalie has been a nurse for the past 24 years. For the last 22 years she’s been an Emergency/Trauma Clinical Nurse Specialist at Mary Washington Healthcare. Read More
 
CHRISTINA WIEDL
Christina has lived and worked in central VA for the last 10 years, and has cared for dozens of patients from the Fredericksburg/Spotsylvania/Stafford area. Read More
MARY TANNOUS
Mary is an entrepreneur, board advisor, and a corporate Executive with over 20+ years in Customer Success, Business Strategy, and Business Operations. Read More
E. CARTER FITCH, CPA PHR

Carter currently is the Assistant Director of Budgets for Stafford County Public Schools. Read More