On the eve of his first birthday, Lucas developed a fever that wouldn’t go down. His parents rushed him to the hospital, where they were told that Lucas had no white blood cells… which in 99% of cases meant he had Leukemia. As they braced for a future of cancer treatments, the doctor delivered good news. Lucas was diagnosed with a bacterial infection that only mimicked Leukemia. He was in the 1%. Nevertheless, the infection destroyed his immune system and he kept catching illness after illness. The doctors told his parents that there was nothing they could do.

This was something that his mother, Erin, refused to accept. She immersed herself in medical research, finding one familiar ingredient among them; elderberry. She remembered that her grandmother made elderberry syrup, citing its benefits. Erin asked her father for the recipe and worked with Lucas to make a less tart, “yummy syrup,” as he called it. Six months later, Lucas was healthy. Erin shared the syrup with other mothers and word of its benefits spread like wildfire. She created Erin’s Elderberries and a Facebook group named “Raising Tiny Healthy Humans” to meet demand and educate others on the elderberries health benefits.

As the community rallies behind her company, Erin consistently looks for ways to give back. The Erin’s Elderberries shop is a central hub for many in the community, hosting several successful community events for the families of the surrounding neighborhoods. It is not only a place where individuals and families can come to relax, play and shop; it also offers products (and even serves hot coffee) from other local small businesses. Erin commented, “The makers we feature in the shop began their businesses to help someone they love and it grew from there, just like us.” Additionally, she’s shared everything that she learned from growing her business through mentorships with over 40 other small businesses.

Erin’s devotion is echoed in her statement, “We are a community brand.” She strives to reflect her community-mindset in every aspect of her business. So when she noticed the hard work ethic of the young people she employed in her store, Erin got another great idea to help others. She established the Lucas Allen Erin’s Elderberries Scholarship Fund with NPCF to help working youth achieve their career goals. The $1,000 award will be offered to students graduating from Fauquier County Public High Schools. “We love kids, and want to give back in all ways,” she shared, "philanthropy is another way we can do that