Have you ever seen a giant ladybug on the highway?
If you have, chances are you’ve spotted Susan Rife and her custom TAB 320 CS teardrop trailer wrapped in a bold ladybug graphic. Her 2022 nuCamp trailer isn’t just a conversation starter—it’s a rolling representation of her nonprofit, Lenna’s Ladybugs, which provides clothing to children in developing countries.
“It’s absolutely the talk of the town,” Susan shared. “It is so fun to drive down the road with our TAB on the back of our truck. Everybody is smiling and waving. They’ve got their phones up taking pictures of it.”
A Love of Camping
Susan’s husband has been a lifelong camper, a passion he shared with Susan when they married more than 30 years ago. Over the years, she has camped in tents, transitioned to a pop-up camper while raising her children, and later returned to tent camping after they grew up. But as she and her husband got older, they wanted something more comfortable and easier to set up.
Looking for a camper that was both easy to tow and had a bathroom, they began researching options. Living just an hour from the nuCamp manufacturing facility, Susan’s husband watched countless videos and read about teardrop trailers to see if one would be the right fit for them.
“It just fit the bill,” Susan explained. “It checked off all the boxes so to speak. … We’re not getting any younger, and those midnight trips to the public restrooms aren’t that fun anymore. It’s been perfect for us.”
Lenna’s Ladybugs: A Mission of Love
Lenna’s Ladybugs was founded in 2012 in honor of Susan’s dear friend, Lenna. The two met at Greenwood Christian Church in Canton, Ohio, where they attended Bible study together. Lenna was a devoted yet soft-spoken woman who fell in love with the children of Haiti during a mission trip. She felt called to help them, and when she passed away, Susan felt that same calling.
“Through my adult life, God has put me where I need to be at that time,” Susan said. “I still get chills when I think about it.”
In 2013, Susan’s husband was preparing for a mission trip to Haiti. Due to financial constraints, Susan planned to stay behind—until Lenna graciously offered to cover her costs. Even after Lenna’s passing, her family honored that promise, a testament to Lenna’s generosity and dedication to helping others.
“Lenna was just an inspiration to all of us in her own quiet way,” Susan recalled.
A Small Idea That Grew Worldwide
Inspired by Lenna’s kindness, Susan and a group of women began making clothing packages for children in Haiti. Their first shipment included 150 handmade T-shirt dresses for little girls. Today, Lenna’s Ladybugs has expanded its reach to 32 missions in 21 countries, sending out an incredible 5,699 packages in 2024 to children around the world.
Each package is tailored to the recipient. Little girls receive a dress, underwear, a headband, and a purse, while boys get a shirt, shorts, underwear, and a Hot Wheels car. Teenagers receive a drawstring backpack along with their clothing.
“I was not retired when we first started this,” Susan explained, adding she has since retired. “If anybody had ever told me at my age, I would be starting a nonprofit and have it go to this magnitude, I would have said you’re nuts.”
A Rolling Conversation Starter
Susan’s unique teardrop trailer isn’t just for camping—it’s also a tool for spreading awareness about Lenna’s Ladybugs. In 2024, she brought it to the International Conference on Missions, a four-day event that connects missionaries and organizations with churches and individuals. This past September, she also camped in her TAB at the 75th anniversary celebration at Roundlake Christian Camp.
Since purchasing their TAB 320, Susan and her husband have traveled to at least 10 states.
“It’s been so much fun and it’s because the camper is so cool to begin with. It’s an opening for us to talk about Ladybugs then too,” Susan said. “Not only are we having a great time with our nuCamp, but people say why the ladybug?”
How You Can Help
If you’d like to support Susan’s mission, visit Lenna’s Ladybugs online or on Facebook to learn more. The nonprofit is always in need of donations—both monetary and material—and hosts packing days where community members can come together at Greenwood Christian Church to help prepare clothing packages for shipment.
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