By Audrey Hanes, Photography by Melissa Donner

As Americans proudly celebrate their independence this month, the Fourth of July, along with several other significant days throughout the year, marks a day for the country to revere the American Flag. One local couple is using a patriotic fundraiser, Flags Across Jonesboro, to raise money for The Luke Kellums NICU Fund benefiting St. Bernards NICU in honor of their late son.

Luke and Kate Kellums were born prematurely at 33 weeks at St. Bernards on July 8, 2020. Although the babies were originally doing well, a week after their birth, Luke got sick with bacterial meningitis and was airlifted to Arkansas Children’s Hospital in Little Rock. He fought for a week before his family had to say their earthly goodbye. Several months later, his parents, Dustin and Callie Kellums, set up the Luke Kellums NICU Fund through the Arkansas Community Foundation for St. Bernards Medical Center. To raise money for their hometown NICU, the couple started Flags Across Jonesboro.

“I got the idea for Flags Across Jonesboro from my friend who was doing this fundraiser in Magnolia,” said Callie. “They were raising thousands of dollars every year, and I felt like it could be really successful here in Jonesboro.”

For $100 per year, donors rent an American flag from Dustin and Callie. The Kellumses set out the flag at the donors’ house or business for around a week at a time for specific holidays, then pick it back up. Flags are out for the following holidays: Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day through Patriot Day in September, and Election Day through Veterans Day in October. Thanks to the help of the couple’s families and friends, the group currently puts out more than 250 flags each holiday.

“I was still pretty stuck in my grief, but Dustin pushed us to start in May 2021, and I am so thankful he did,” said Callie. “Luke’s NICU Fund, and the Flags Across Jonesboro fundraiser specifically, give us a way to remember our precious boy. It gives us an opportunity to do something positive with our grief and help other families that have babies in the NICU. Having a child in the NICU is difficult in itself, but if you have other children at home or don’t have enough leave from work to stay with your child all the time or have to drive from another city, that makes it even more difficult. We aim to help St. Bernards care for as many babies as possible here so that families don’t have to travel any farther for care.

“Some neighborhoods have been super engaged and supportive. It is incredible to see flags lining the streets. They look beautiful and, of course, so patriotic. We love being able to drive around and show (7-year-old Ben and 5-year-old Kate) Luke’s flags.”

To date, The Luke Kellums NICU Fund benefiting St. Bernards has donated more than $136,000 to the St. Bernards NICU. The first $36,000 of the funds raised was for items specifically requested by the NICU, such as a specialized mattress, a Bili Blanket machine, a supply cart, two cribettes, bereavement kits and a NICU-specific ventilator. Most recently, the nonprofit donated $100,000 to help fund a four-bed expansion to the NICU that is designed as a step-down room for babies who don’t need to remain in the NICU but aren’t ready to go home.

“This expansion, in particular, makes us so happy because it means we have helped more families keep their babies close to home,” said Callie.

St. Bernard Foundation President Lydia Parkey has worked closely with the family and says St. Bernards is honored that the family chose to partner with them and memorialize Luke as they have.

“It’s encouraging, and it’s something we love to see,” said Parkey. “When donors have a passion or a dream, we love to be able to meet them and make that happen. The need is always there. Labor and delivery can be beautiful and joyous, but it can also be heart wrenching; not everyone has the same outcome. Dustin and Callie are so inspiring. They are heroes to so many families, heroes in people’s lives they don’t know and who might ever know who they are but are impacted by their selflessness and generosity.” 

St. Bernards Medical Center is currently in the middle of an expansion and a reworking to meet the needs of not only the NICU, but the labor and delivery floor, as well. The St. Bernards NICU, which was originally established in 2012 with 12 beds, has grown to 19 beds and is continually adapting and updating to meet area needs.

“The funds from Dustin and Callie have allowed us to meet a need we have here,” said Parkey. “St. Bernards is always growing to meet needs, and they help us do that. That fund will always continue to help serve families at St. Bernards.” 

For those interested in supporting Flags Across Jonesboro, please send an email with a home address to lukesnicufund@gmail.com and make a tax-deductible donation at arcf.org/luke. The prorated rate for the rest of the year would be $60. More information can also be found on Facebook by searching for The Luke Kellums NICU Fund Benefiting St. Bernards.