• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Firefighter's Fund logo

Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firefighter's Fund

Give to A Hero

  • Amazon
  • Facebook
  • Flickr
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Home
  • Make a Difference
    • Your Donations In Action
    • Sponsor Showcase
    • Our LAFD Heroes
  • Other Ways to Give
    • Firefighter Go Bag Donations
    • Firefighter Crafts T-shirt To Raise Funds
    • Amazon Wishlist
    • Ralphs Rewards
    • Evite Giving
    • GoFundMe
    • Online Auctions
    • Vehicle Donations
    • Muertos Coffee Co.
    • Donate Products / Services
    • Grants & Corporate Giving
    • Employer Matching
    • Create a Legacy
    • Extinguisher Fund
  • Volunteer
  • Events
    • Drill Tower Graduations
    • Golf Tournament
    • Salute to Firefighters Festival
    • LAFD Pickleball Tournament
    • Hook & Ladder Desert Race
    • Softball Tournament
    • Other Fundraisers
  • Meet Our Supporters
  • About Us
    • Our Charity
    • L.A. Firemen’s Relief Association
    • Family Support Group
    • Connect With Us
    • Photo Gallery
    • Share Your Photos
    • eNewsletter
    • Meet the Board
    • Careers / Employment
    • In the News
  • Donate Now

Lillie Vehling: The Ties that Bond

As the daughter of an LAFD fire captain injured in the line of duty, thirteen-year-old Lillie Vehling knows the importance of strong family ties. She has made it her business to provide the cords. Paracords, that is.

[tabs slidertype=”images” auto=”yes” autospeed=”3000″] [imagetab width=”800″ height=”450″]https://www.wodff.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/vehling6a.png[/imagetab] [imagetab width=”800″ height=”450″]https://www.wodff.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/vehling5a.png[/imagetab] [imagetab width=”800″ height=”450″]https://www.wodff.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/vehling4a.png[/imagetab] [imagetab width=”800″ height=”450″]https://www.wodff.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/vehling3a.png[/imagetab] [imagetab width=”800″ height=”450″]https://www.wodff.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/vehling2a.png[/imagetab] [imagetab width=”800″ height=”450″]https://www.wodff.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/vehling1a.png[/imagetab] [/tabs]

Currently a middle school student in Chatsworth, California, this young social entrepreneur seized the opportunity to pitch a project for a school contest: to make and distribute paracords for a dollar a piece, with all proceeds going to benefit our firefighter charity.

Paracords are woven bracelets made from the same nylon cord used in parachutes that also function as wearable tools that can be used in an emergency. Nick-named “survival bracelets,” adventurists use them for numerous things such as tying branches for shelter or weaving fishing nets.

“I first learned about these bracelets when I volunteered with Operation Gratitude,” she noted.

Impressively, Lillie’s project was one of only 25 business ideas chosen out of a pool of 80 submissions. She and her friends opened their business during the school lunch break for three straight days. With the help of a small group of friends and family, working 21 hours, they handcrafted the unique inventory and sold out each day. Her storefront featured a customized, firefighter-themed display with a spin wheel of prizes to draw in customers. They successfully raised $1,200!

“My friends and I made the paracords in different colors and patterns,” she explained, “and some people bought two or more.”

Lillie chose to donate the money to Widows & Orphans because the Vehling family has received the much-needed care and support the fund provides to LAFD families. When she was four years old her dad, Derek Vehling, now retired from the LAFD, sustained a severe spinal injury which resulted in a broken back and neck. While using a wheelchair for mobility for at least three years, Captain Vehling worked to improve his paralysis (tetraplegia) and the associated physical impact with a combination of medical treatments and bio technology.

Today, he has some limb mobility and walks with help of a cane and bionic leg braces. He also drives a modified motorized vehicle using his hands. He remains motivated to continue building strength in his limbs and says “I want to be able to walk my daughters down the aisle.”

Derek says he would like to see Lillie’s three younger siblings use her idea in the future to continue creating products for good. Through her school project, Lillie and her team paired with a mentor who showed them the ropes of business and product development. She looks forward to sharing her retail experience with the entire student body of 800.

Lillie’s success is not limited to salesmanship; she also plays a multitude of sports: club soccer, water polo, volleyball, basketball, field hockey, golf, and maintains a 4.0 grade point average.

She certainly lives by her motto, “Don’t be afraid to get involved.” And, she hopes this latest venture will motivate others to stay connected and to help each other.

By Madeline Wright

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • X

Related

Primary Sidebar

FOLLOW

    instagram

YouTube  flickr  

SAFETY TIPS

Fire-Wise garden tips

“Fire-Wise” Your Garden.

Learn about beautiful native gardens that are also fire resistant.
Read More

All Things Firefighter

  • Firefighter Inspired
  • Firefighter History
  • Fire Dogs
  • Firehouse Eats
  • LAFD Legacy
  • Furry Rescues
  • Fire Gear
  • Fire Heroes
  • Firefighters + Artists
  • Safety Tips

RECENT

  • 2025 Memorial Scholarship Winners
  • Light the Night for Fallen Firefighters
  • LAFD on TV: Going Behind-the-Scenes of the Hit Series “9-1-1”

POPULAR

video charity auction firefighters fallen firefighters bank fire dogs media Hope for Firefighters softball pancake breakfast chaplain local business Motorcycle Lane Kemper celebrity medal of valor Donor law golf LAFD LA Marathon Muster Games Family Fire Hogs rescue PTSD charity fundraiser charity event firefighter Supporter hope food festival bowling volunteer shopping Hero fire station financial institution los angeles event dogs golf tournament firemen widows Beneficiary sponsor Fire Axe chef IPA Beer

Copyright © 2025 · Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firefighter's Fund