The Kailee Mills Foundation informs the public on the importance of seat belt use while encouraging and inspiring communities to protect themselves and their passengers by always wearing their seat belts.

Meet a Board Member

David Mills

Foundation President

Co-Founder

One day at a time. Take in the good. Be kind, tell the truth, and do your best.

These are some of David Mills’ personal mottos. If you were to ask him who inspires him and who he admires, the answer is simple. Kailee. David says of his daughter, “She had such a big heart and a loving soul. She has always been my little angel, and I am so proud of the person she was and how blessed we are to have had 16 wonderful years with her.” He also makes a point to say, “I’m also a huge fan of JC (Jesus Christ).” Something else that inspires David is the strength and courage of other families who are struggling with the loss of a child.

So, who is David Mills? David is the type of person that gets out on a boat after a hurricane has wreaked havoc on his city to rescue complete strangers. He is the type of person to drop everything for someone in need if he is able to help. Even if all he can do is pray. At the age of ten, he wanted to be a pilot. Fast forward to 2018 and he is doing much more than that. Aside from being the President of Kailee Mills Foundation, he is a devout husband and loving father. He works hard at balancing his personal work to support his family and building the Foundation to impact the lives of others all while taking time for himself and carving out time for his wife and son. When David gets the rare opportunity to have his ‘me time’, he enjoys fishing and hunting. His daily habits are pretty typical. He savors his two cups of coffee when he wakes up and ends his day falling asleep watching a movie. In between, his days can feel like a blur of non-stop motion and he never knows what new challenges he will meet that day and overcome. Over the next year, he would like to slow down enough to take the time to better his health and live a healthier lifestyle. Kailee and David were planning on joining a gym together because Kailee wanted to see her dad live healthier and take time to take care of himself.

Pet peeves tell a lot about a person. So, what are some of David Mills’ pet peeves? “When people get upset and angry over little things. When people devalue themselves or put themselves down. When people are chronically late (I hate being late myself).”

Since starting Kailee Mills Foundation, David has become inspired by the selflessness of people who do charity work. The causes he cares about, besides seat belt safety, are helping veterans and disabled/terminal children. The reason he wanted to start Kailee Mills Foundation was to help other families who are going through the difficult loss of a family member, and to help prevent tragedies like Kailee’s from happening. David says, “We want Kailee’s legacy to continue on the way we believe she would have wanted, by turning something negative into a positive and helping others. She is our inspiration for starting this foundation; it really exemplifies who she was as a person.” David would like to see in the next 3 to 5 years the Foundation be the number one seat belt-focused organization in the country, and possibly the world. When people hear the word ‘seat belt’, they should think “Kailee Mills Foundation”. When asked what barriers are in his way, it all sums up to time. He says, “Having the time and energy to make it all happen. I also have to make a living, I don’t take any salary or compensation for my time spent on the foundation, so I have to balance my time between making a living and making the foundation successful.”

David, how do you want to be remembered?

As someone who made a difference in other people’s lives in positive ways.

Happy Father's Day!

Whether you are visiting your father or, dad, if you're visiting family, always buckle up. Make sure your family gets to celebrate this Father's Day safely and together!

#BuckleUp4Dad

#BuckleUp4Family

Houston Metro Transportation Event

Kailee Mills Foundation has partnered with Houston METRO! This month we set up booths and had volunteers pass out information on seat belt safety and about the foundation itself. There was also a press event with METRO President and CEO Tom Lambert, METRO Police Department Chief Vera Bumpers, and Kailee's parents and founders of Kailee Mills Foundation, David and Wendy Mills, announcing the partnership.

Here is an email we received after one of our METRO booths. It is people and examples like this that keep us energized and focused. Thank you for the encouragement!

Hi,

Yesterday morning, someone at the Fannin South PR handed me the pamphlet from your organization and I just walked passed them because I was in my own world. His words didn't even register until I was steps passed him. I just wanted to let him know that even though I didn't speak to him, I can't get him and his tragic loss out of my mind. I hung the pamphlet up in my office's break-room. I guess I am just writing to tell you that even when it doesn't seem like you get through to anyone, people are still listening.

What have you done for Safety Month?

In our last newsletter, we told you that June was National Safety Month. That's right! While there are several topics that are recognized during Safety Month, transportation safety is definitely one of them.

During National Safety Month, Kailee Mills Foundation is working with community members to help reduce the risk of injuries by reminding people of the simple task of buckling up.

Share Kailee's story and save lives! You can make a difference!

Send in a picture or story to newsletter@kaileemillsfoundation.org showing us what you're doing for National Safety Month!

Check out our Great Day Houston interview!

Here's our ABC13 interview!

LAST CHANCE TO REGISTER FOR THE 5K!!!

REGISTRATION WITH SHIRT GUARANTEE

JUNE 16TH

People can register online until the 21st without a shirt guaranteed. People are welcome to register at the event as well, but the price will be $50 and the shirts will be first come first serve.

Register for Kailee Mills Foundation #BuckleUp4Kailee 5K Glow Run

We are SO close to our FIRST 5K run event!

This is going to be a great, family friendly event! We've added children 3 and under are free, so be sure to bring the whole family, stroller and all! Food Trucks, Live DJs, Water Guns, Glow Bracelets, Black Lights, Raffle, and an opportunity to support seat belt safety! We know what some of you are thinking, and no, you do not have to run. You don't even have to walk it to participate and donate in the event. Just register and come out for the fun, food, a chance to win, and get covered in color! The event is June 23rd at Klein Oak High School. Check-in is at 5pm.

ANNOUNCEMENT OF FOOD TRUCKS:

We have finalized the food trucks that will be available!

Rib Tickler - BBQ sandwiches and sausage on a stick

CASH ONLY

15% of sales goes back to our foundation!

Tacos Ole - Street tacos (chicken and beef) and chicken quesadillas

10% of sales goes back to our foundation!

Kona Ice - Snocones

CASH ONLY

20% of sales goes back to our foundation!

Our goal is to reach $100,000! We are pleased to announce that Anglia Homes has generously offered to MATCH donations up to $45,000! That means your donations go twice as far, guys!

Please see items in our Wish Box at the bottom for items we still need donated to make this event perfect!

VOLUNTEER SIGN UP

Please take a look at all of the options and sign up for any and all shifts you are interested in!  Want to run in the race? There are still opportunities to volunteer and run. Overly attached to clean, stain-free clothing? We need people to make the race happen too! Love cleaning? PLEASE come on out and help us leave Klein Oak colorful and trash free!

Volunteer Meeting

Tuesday, June 19th at 7:00pm

Klein Oak High School

(far right parking lot)

If you have signed up to volunteer, PLEASE attend! We will be going over logistics as well as training those taking payments/donations on how. We need to be a well-oiled machine of volunteers and work as a team to have this event run smoothly! Make sure and check your email for more details. If you did not receive an email from us (info@kaileemillsfoundation.org), please send us an inquiry letting us know and we will get it to you. Don't forget to check your spam!

You are amazing!

Kailee's Angels

We would like to honor the life of Kika Nichole Ward, 40, of Comanche, Oklahoma. She was involved in a single-vehicle accident on Saturday, April 14, 2018. The SUV she was driving went out of control and rolled. She was not wearing her seat belt. Kika left behind a loving husband and three children. She was known for her passion of helping others (including the four-legged variety), being a wife, a mother, and friend to so many. She was a just a few weeks away from completing her LPN program so she could continue to help others in need. Her big heart will never be forgotten by her family and everyone whose life she touched. Use her life as a reminder that there is someone waiting for you to come home safe every time you step into a vehicle. Don't let your guard down. Each second counts.

#BuckleUp4Kika

Wish Box

Kailee Mills Foundation is honored to have a growing community of sponsors!

If you are interested in sponsoring future events, please email info@kaileemillsfoundation.org.

To check out our ever expanding circle of Partners, please click here.

Follow us on Social Media:

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We Would Love to Know

Did Kailee make an impact on your life? Did she help you or offer you any advice or words of encouragement while she was here on earth? Has she made an impact on your life since her death? What are some life lessons she left with you? If you have a favorite picture or video of you with Kailee you'd like to include with your story, please make sure to include that. You do not have to have known her in life for her to have made a difference in your personal story.

Email Live On at newsletter@kaileemillsfoundation.org