The Lily Pad Cafe – Building Progress

The Lily Pad Cafe

Coming in 2024 to Ridgeland, ms!

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics, 82.1 percent of persons with a disability are unemployed. The Lily Pad Cafe will run as a not-for-profit restaurant and is focused on employing and training individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to give them the work skills and confidence necessary to obtain employment with other businesses. The cafe will also work with local restaurants and retail establishments so cafe employees can seamlessly transition to employment opportunities with these partners.

To cover the costs of the building, renovation and initial start-up, The Lily Pad Cafe Building Campaign kicked off in September of 2020 with a goal of raising $500,000. We began this campaign with $160,000 being raised through the annual Run Up for Downs and have been able to raise over $600,000 thanks to several extremely generous donations from local businesses and the generosity of individual donations from the community. We exceeded our $500,000 goal for our Building Campaign, which has allowed us to begin fundraising to help cover the initial start up costs as well as operating costs. Our goal is to raise a year's worth. There are sponsorships still available to support The Lily Pad in opening our doors.

Supporters can continue to sponsor a brick. You can also sponsor or participate in our annual Leap for the Lily Pad in April.

 

VOLUNTEER WITH US!

If you or your organization/company would like to volunteer and help us with some sweat equity to make the Lily Pad a reality, click here to see when and what we need help with.

The Lily Pad Building Campaign Fundraising Goal : $500,000

$500,000 Raised to Date | 100%

The Lily Pad Pre-Opening Operation Fundraising Goal : $400,000

$280,000 Raised to Date | 70%

Last Updated: December 2023

*Fundraising goal does not factor in current operational expenditures.

Sponsor a Brick

Don't miss your chance to leave your mark on The Lily Pad outdoor patio! Whether you are a business and want to laser engrave your logo OR are a family that wants to include their family name on a brick, there is an option for every person with every budget. We have a 4x8, 12x12 and 16x16 option to choose from below!

Sponsor a Table (SOLD OUT)

Don't miss your chance to have your logo (or maybe even your child's or family's name) laser engraved on the center of one of our dining tables! This will be a permanent sponsorship, so a 1-time payment will leave a lasting mark and will help us get that much closer to hitting our Building Campaign goal! Our indoor tables will be stained, sealed and then epoxied to protect the table and your mark!

Naming Rights

Our Naming Rights opportunities range from our building, to the patio, to the Lily Pad fountain and our 3 dining room spaces. Each opportunity is for a 5-year period unless otherwise agreed upon and includes several additional benefits. Each opportunity has the option to pay in installments over a 5-year period OR if 100% is paid upfront, a sponsored table will be provided at no additional cost. Naming Rights opportunities are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Click on each opportunity below for more information about each:

Building

Sponsor will receive Exclusive Naming rights to the Lily Pad Cafe Building. For more information and complete list of benefits, click here.

Patio (SOLD)

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The Lily Pad Cafe Patio Naming Rights are SOLD.

Lower Dining Room (SOLD)

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The Lily Pad Lower Dining Room Naming Rights are SOLD.

Upper Dining Room (SOLD)

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Upper Dining Room naming rights have been SOLD.

Upper Private Dining Room (SOLD)

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Upper Private Dining Room naming rights have been SOLD.

Fountain (SOLD)

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Fountain naming rights have been SOLD.

Fundraising

Congratulations to the following teams for winning menu naming rights for their fundraising efforts:
Samuel Kyser, Wilson Helms, Caroline Wilkerson, Nicholas Weldon and Grace Fornea

We will be recognizing all fundraising teams that raise at least $1,000 on our donor wall.

Top Fundraising Teams

Team/Individual NameFundraising Total
Samuel Kyser$125,500
Wilson Helms$20,325
Hayden Elliot$16,981
Lily Lape$15,071
Caroline Wilkerson$13,392
Nicholas Weldon$10,050
Grace Fornea$8,850
Graham Quarles$3,835
Andi Sisk$2,600
Tucker Matthews$2,500
Francie Howie$1,150
James Aaron Martin$1,447
Tyler Honigfort$1,440
Maryn Rhodes$1,150
Team Juji (Juliana Rojas)$1,020
Kaylen Jackson$862
Walt Clingan$650
Sarah and Sydeny Huff$600
Carolyn Jane Moore$600
Tanner Knotts$556
Jade Patel$550
Ward Phillips$541
Elim Alexander$540
Huntleigh McGhee$500
Julie Ross$500
Berkeley Foster$500
Fraiser Johnston$350
Henry Maclin Harrison$300
Will Grogan$284
Finn Roberson$268
Kaitlyn Stewart$157
Catherine Faye Giuffria$150
Matthieu Tamor$150
Caroline Carlisle$150
The McGehee Boys$150
Nate and Ben Rogers$150
Caleb Underwood$150
Ashtyn McCoy$150
Janette Saenz$150
Taylor Rush$150
Heather Frazier$150
Ann Reilly Lambert$150
Cole Sims$150
Jane Allen$100
ZoeBeth Edwards$56
Aubrey Sanders $50
Lawrence Scheel $40
Taylor Moore$33.00

*Last Updated March 25, 2021

Questions?

Please use the button to the right or email us at brent@thelilypadms.com with any questions/concerns!