2026 Beneficiary
More Than
Just a Hat.
A mission born from one man's love for a little girl named Ellie — and the belief that kindness, shown at the right moment, changes everything.
2026 Beneficiary
A mission born from one man's love for a little girl named Ellie — and the belief that kindness, shown at the right moment, changes everything.
Jay Coakley had a neighbor — a little girl named Ellie — who was battling childhood cancer. He wanted to do something. So he started sending her colorful, fun hats to brighten her days during treatment.
What began as one act of kindness for one child grew into a national nonprofit. Ellie's Hats now sends care packages — hats, toys, comfort items — to children fighting cancer all over the country. They also provide direct financial assistance to families carrying the crushing weight of a cancer diagnosis.
Ellie made it. She's thriving today. And the hats keep going.
A Decade of Partnership
Jay Coakley isn't just the founder of Ellie's Hats — he's a friend. Joe DePalma and Punch Digital Strategies have been partners with Ellie's Hats for over a decade, long before D2F existed.
That relationship is why D2F keeps coming back to Ellie's Hats. This isn't a charity we found. This is a cause we've lived alongside. We've seen Jay's work firsthand — the care packages, the families, the relief. Every dollar we raise makes a real difference.
Hats, toys, comfort items, and personal notes sent directly to children undergoing cancer treatment nationwide.
Direct financial assistance to families facing the impossible costs that come with a childhood cancer diagnosis.
Building a network of people who believe that small acts of kindness — delivered at the right moment — can change the entire arc of a family's experience.
This Is Why We Party
Every dollar raised at D2F 2026 goes directly to Ellie's Hats. No overhead. No middlemen. Just impact.