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2025 Haupert Humanitarian Award

Justin P. Driscoll ’05 and Jennifer Kunes Driscoll ’05, G’11

The Haupert Humanitarian Award recognizes an alum who has rendered outstanding service in the cause of human welfare. The recipient’s service to humanity has achieved standards "above and beyond" the expected duties and responsibilities of their career. In addition, the recipient has made a positive difference in the lives of others, in the community in which they live, or in the community at large.

Justin P. Driscoll ’05 and Jennifer Kunes Driscoll ’05, G’11 met while registering for classes during their first year at �����紫ý. By the time they graduated in 2005—Justin with a psychology degree and Jennifer with degrees in psychology and business management—the two were inseparable. They got married in 2007 and soon began planning a family, never imagining their journey would lead to national recognition for their compassion and advocacy.

Their daughter, Lilian Hope, arrived seven weeks premature, weighing less than 3 pounds. As Jennifer recovered from delivery, Justin went back and forth between their bedsides. In the NICU, Lily occupied the first bassinet—the one reserved for the sickest babies. Machines helped her breathe, a chest tube sustained her, and she needed multiple blood transfusions. At times, Jennifer and Justin were not sure she would survive.

After nearly a month, Lily came home, but the challenges were far from over. She was too small for a standard car seat, required specially sized diapers and clothes, and needed ongoing care from pulmonary and gastrointestinal specialists. Six years later, when the Driscolls had their son, Aidan Patrick—three weeks early and weighing just over 5 pounds—they once again faced the unique struggles of caring for a premature baby.

Determined to support other families navigating the challenges of premature birth, Jennifer and Justin founded Lily’s Hope Foundation in 2013. The nonprofit provides urgent, customized assistance to families with preemies, delivering “Packages of Hope” filled with essentials like preemie clothing, diapers, and formula. The packages also include gifts for siblings—puzzles, coloring books, and stuffed animals—to ensure that they feel special too. Today, Lily’s Hope partners with 19 hospitals across Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and North Carolina and has helped more than 6,500 families in 49 states.

Beyond care packages, the foundation donates specialty equipment to NICUs, including skin-to-skin supportive chairs, proven to stabilize a baby’s heart rate, breathing, and temperature. Lily’s Hope has also supplied automated baby swings and instant cameras to help parents capture precious early moments.

To fund their mission, Jennifer and Justin organize several major events throughout the year: a golf tournament, a gala, and Lily’s Loop Run/Walk events throughout the tri-state area. Their efforts have gained recognition from media outlets including The Morning Call, PBS39, WFMZ, Comcast Newsmakers, and NJ Spotlight (NJ 12).

Jennifer has also written three books for NICU parents, two of which she coauthored with her children. She has also contributed to Comprehensive Neonatal Nursing Care, Sixth Edition, a runner-up for the American Journal of Nursing’s Book of the Year award in 2020. Her advocacy has earned her numerous honors, including the Healthcare Hero Award from Lehigh Valley Business Journal, the National Foundation Heart of Giving Award from Alpha Sigma Alpha national sorority, and the Spirit Award from the NICU Parent Network. She has also been named among the Lehigh Valley’s “Women of Influence” by the Lehigh Valley Style Business Journal and “Influential Women of the Year” by Lehigh Valley Style magazine.

While managing the foundation, Jennifer and Justin also balance demanding careers. Justin serves as a sergeant with the Upper Saucon Township Police, where he has been commended for bravery and exemplary service. Jennifer is the director of operations for Chart Industries, a global manufacturer of highly engineered equipment for the clean energy and industrial gas markets. Through it all, they remain devoted parents to their two healthy, thriving children—a testament to the hope that started it all.