Monrovia Kid With a Big Heart: Homemade ‘Hannah’s Hound Houses’ Return for 3rd Year

Monrovia’s Hannah Iler, is raising money for Children’s Hospital Los Angeles for the third year in a row. – Photo by Terry Miller / Beacon Media News

Get yours at the Street Fair this Friday Dec. 7

By Terry Miller

Once again an extraordinary young lady in Monrovia, Hannah Iler, is raising money for Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA).

Hannah, 10, who now attends Bradoaks, faced acute surgeries in 2016 to reconstruct her jaw. Subsequently she had to take a leave-of-absence from school while battling the complications therein.

The extensive surgeries and resulting hospital stays took a toll on her parents Scott and Erin. But for Hannah, she seemed to take it in her stride and made many new friends at Children’s Hospital. Her mom said all Hannah really remembers about the hospital stay was that the food “was gross.”

The extensive jaw surgery and subsequent recovery at Children’s Hospital and at home culminated with the final surgery in September 2016.

Hannah’s surgeon shares a moment with the two sisters. – Courtesy photo

Three years ago, Hannah had a series of jaw surgeries and when she came home she knew that some children would not be at home for Christmas, but rather, in the hospital. Hannah had the idea to make gingerbread houses of sorts for dogs.  In lieu of gingerbread and candy, Hannah’s Hound Houses consist of dog bones for the walls, rawhide for the roof, and dog treats to adorn the walls and roof.  All of this is held together by peanut butter.

Hannah, who has one sister Rebecca, 7, who also attends Bradoaks as well as a host of dogs and other critters, wanted to do something to help kids who are sick and perhaps spending the holidays in the hospital plus raise money for animals in need. Hannah’s Hound Houses were born two years ago.

For the third year in a row, Hannah and her elves will be making and selling Hannah’s Hound Houses. Scott, Hannah’s dad, said that last year on sales day the street where they live was “pandemonium and people were lined up and down the street stopping traffic; just so they could get their hands on one of the houses.”

“Thanks to Tina Cherry, director of community services for the City of Monrovia, the Iler’s will be selling the K-9 treats at the Street Fair in Monrovia on Dec. 7, Scott IIer told Monrovia Weekly.

Each of the kits cost $10 and all proceeds will be used to buy toys for children who will be in the hospital over the holidays. Hannah and her sister Rebecca will go shopping for toys and drop them off at CHLA right before Christmas.

Get your kit at the Street Fair this Friday. – Courtesy photo

As a family, the IIer’s firmly believe that the imprint of generosity shown to their daughter by everyone has “led her to understand what it means to give to those who need the help. Hannah is aware that kids will be in the hospital over Christmas and this makes her want to do something to brighten their stay.”

Last year, Hannah was invited to be a keynote speaker at the Monrovia Guild of Children’s hospital. At the event, several people signed up to get one of the Hound Houses. You too can get yours on Dec. 7 at The Monrovia Street Fair. You can also reserve one by filling out an order form at bit.ly/HannahsHoundHouses.