Mollie Tibbetts Memorial Fund reaches $600,000

Mollie Tibbetts’ legacy of loving and helping others, especially young children, lives on today thanks in part to a fund in her name at the University of Iowa.

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Established in 2018, The Mollie Tibbetts Memorial Fund has raised more than $600,000 toward a goal of a $1 million endowment. The funds are designated to support a child psychologist training program at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.

“She (Mollie) was interested in child psychology as a career,” said Hanna Stevens, director of child psychiatry at the University of Iowa. “She was a psychology major at the University of Iowa at the time (of her death).”

Stevens said the program will provide a student who has just obtained a psychology doctorate with a stipend to live on while training in child psychology postdoctoral work for one year, learning to do therapy and testing to address mental health problems.

Laura Calderwood, Mollie’s mom, established the memorial fund in her daughter’s honor using funds she had received from all across the United States following Mollie’s untimely death.

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Calderwood wanted the funds to be used to identify mental health issues in children at an early age. Calderwood said she had learned of an incident at Iowa State University where a student golfer was killed on the golf course by an individual with mental health issues and she asked herself, “Why can’t something be done about this?”

She decided to reach out to the University of Iowa psychiatry unit and donated the money to establish the memorial fund.

In addition to the original seed money, some of the funds are raised from the Mollie Tibbetts Memorial Run held the last Sunday in September. The run was started by Brandie Flathers of Brooklyn in September 2018 and has been held every year since.

The run is just one of a number of funding sources raising money for the memorial program endowment.

“The fund has received contributions from many individuals who are moved by her legacy,” noted Stevens, who has participated in the memorial run six of seven years. “The fund has been highlighted during One Day for Iowa (a fundraising event at the University of Iowa) for several years and that has led to many contributions.”

Businesses inspired by Mollie's spirit have also contributed. For example, Stevens said Scooter's Coffee in Cedar Rapids and The Public House in Davenport have contributed to the fund.

“And we have had alumni pledge support for the fund in their planned giving to the University,” said Stevens. “Individuals and business leaders have described how moved they are that the fund not only celebrates Mollie’s life but also raises awareness about the importance of mental health.”

Some of the funds raised have been used for projects inspired by Mollie’s love of art and music.

Since the beginning, Calderwood and other members of Mollie’s family have been involved in considering which projects to fund and in hearing about their successes, in meetings with University of Iowa child psychologists, psychiatrists and other mental health staff. There have been over 20 different projects funded over the years.

“The fund provides music for our music therapy program at the hospital,” said Stevens. “And we’ve gone into middle schools to teach using music for mental health issues.”

Stevens said funds have also been used for group art projects for children coming to their clinic.

One of Mollie’s biggest advocates and supporters is her cousin, Morgan Collum, a third grade teacher at BGM.

“The hardest part of this fund is that its existence means Mollie is not with us,” said Collum. “But for those who knew her, her legacy of a full heart and generosity is clear. Helping others is a vital way to deal with grief, and by supporting families through her fund, we ensure Mollie’s spirit continues its work. This is a beautiful tribute.

“After the devastation we faced in 2018, this fund allows our community to unite, support those in need, and honor the beautiful soul we love and miss deeply every day,” said Collum.

“Mollie Tibbetts was an outstanding young woman whose accomplishments were made very public only by her tragic death,” said Barb Baker of Grinnell. “As a mother, runner, and community member, I run in Mollie's memorial run each September to honor and celebrate the vibrancy she modeled.

“The generous amount of funds donated to the University of Iowa Health Care in her memory will preserve her legacy and directly benefit her passion — helping young people who are dealing with mental health issues and their families,” Baker said.

“It’s great to see the community come out and remember Mollie,” said Ryan Hopwood, a friend who participated in the Mollie Tibbetts Memorial Run.

“It’s humbling to see how the community supports the Tibbetts family,” said Shamus Keller, a run participant and BGM graduate.

Kaitlin Warner, a friend of the Tibbetts and Calderwood families from Chicago, participated in this year’s run for the first time.

“I’m honored to be here and learning about Mollie and her story,” said Warner.

John Holdefer, physical education and health teacher and cross-country coach at BGM, said Mollie’s run is such an amazing event.

“Participating in this run is a way to bring positiveness to a very tragic event,” said Holdefer. “This is why I encourage my cross-country kids and the community to come support it.”

“I’m glad the run is still continuing on in honor of Mollie,” said Joey Irlbeck.

Scott Tibbetts, Mollie’s brother who is in his second year of medical school at the University of Iowa, said he is honored by the outpouring and support for Mollie.

“I’m glad to see people and friends doing something Mollie loved, even though I don’t like running.”