AAFH Awards Art & Music Scholarships

Art & Music Scholarships were awarded on behalf of the Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope (AAFH) at the Senior Awards Night at the Geneva High School (GHS) on May 21, 2025.  The AAFH scholarships were awarded to four graduating Seniors by Mary Jane Johnson, former student counselor at GHS.

Alyssa was a 2013 graduate of GHS.  Through her four years at GHS, she was counseled by GHS Counselor, Mary Jane Johnson.  Mary Jane has been an active board member of the Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope since its inception in 2014.

Since 2022, AAFH has been providing art & music scholarships to GHS graduates who have an interest in pursuing degrees in music or art.  This year, we were happy to award $2,000 to each of the following seniors: Lola Downing, Neil Gadbury, John Kozlowski and Lily McConnell.

At the event, Mary Jane spoke briefly about Alyssa's time at the high school where she was a leading member of the student orchestra in addition to being a part of the Elgin Youth Symphony Orchestras.  Alyssa continued to pursue her passion for music despite battling cancer during her last three years at GHS.

We are fortunate and honored to support today's graduates in pursuit of their passions for art and music in memory of our beloved daughter Alyssa.

Congratulations and good luck to this year's recipients!

Delivery Of Art Kits to Ronald McDonald House East

A donation of 50 Alyssa Starter Art Kits (SAKs) were delivered to the Ronald McDonald House (RMH) East in St. Petersburg, Florida on May 20, 2025. Yoli and George, officers of the foundation were joined by friends from Mexico -Susi Garcia and her son Rodrigo. Susi and Rodrigo were visiting Florida for the first time and glad to be part of of the delivering team to the RMH East.

These Alyssa SAKs continue to be popular art kits for the teens & young adult patients while staying at the RMH East receiving treatment at the nearby Johns Hopkins Hospital. It enables the young patients to relax and express their creativity during the time they are in-patient at the hospital.

At each delivery we continue meeting so many wonderful people from the professional staff at the hospitals and Ronald McDonald Houses, the volunteers and most importantly, the children and the family members we serve.

Constellation Sponsors Volunteer Event & Assemble 300 Alyssa SAKs donated to 5 Hospitals

A group of Constellation employees at 3 locations assembled Alyssa Starter Art Kits (SAKs) for donations to local area hospitals. A total of 75 employees participated in putting together 300 Alyssa SAKs in April 2025 at the Baltimore Headquarters (BHQ) in Maryland, Cantera Office in Winfield, IL and KSQ in Kennett Square, PA. These volunteer efforts were sponsored by Constellation executives: Michael Koehler - CAO and Tim Murnane-IT Operations VP.

The completed art kits at BHQ were delivered to 5 different hospitals across the Constellation territory for young patients being treated for cancer and other life-threatening illnesses. The hospitals were University of Maryland Children’s Hospital and Mount Washington Pediatric Hospital in Baltimore, MD., Lurie Children’s Hospital & Advocate Children’s Hospital in Chicago, IL., and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, PA.

Yolanda Alvin is a Senior Project Manager at Constellation’s IT Group, founder and President of the Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope (AAFH) organization for the past 10 years. Constellation employees previously supported AAFH volunteer events and have made generous donations through matching programs and payroll deductions. We are very appreciative of their continued support of Alyssa’s foundation.

A special “Thank You” goes out to Constellation Executives and our Volunteer Leads-Cherice Daniel and Angel Davis at BHQ, Dannie Pickett at Cantera and Vicky Moreno at KSQ for planning and organizing this volunteer event.

We appreciate all the participants who assembled the Alyssa Starter Art Kits (SAKs) which will bring hope and joy to young patients at the facilities mentioned above. Please help us make a positive impact on a young cancer patient’s life and bring their spirits up. You can make a donation by going to our website: alyssaalvinfoundationforhope.org.

AAFH Delivers Art Materials to Alex at Advocate Childrens Hospital

On Friday, May 9th, the Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope (AAFH) delivered art materials to Alex, an 8th grader about to graduate and a cancer patient, at the Advocate Children’s Hospital in Oak Lawn, IL.

Alex requested various drawing materials through Advocate’s Child Life Therapist Lori Mackey who AAFH has happily worked with many times over the last few years. Alex was thrilled to receive these art supplies and literally jumped up and down upon receiving them.

AAFH is equally thrilled to provide young people like Alex with art supplies and musical instruments that provide hope when facing life-threatening illnesses. Alex’s Mom, Irma, was also very grateful for our efforts. We understand that when a child faces serious illness, the entire family is impacted.

Art and music helped our precious daughter, Alyssa, during her struggle and it is in her memory that we continue to provide these much-needed creative outlets.

Adam Receives His Gift

Tim Egan, a dedicated and long-time volunteer of Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope (AAFH) drove to Adam’s home on April 3, 2025 to deliver his digital piano & bench. Adam is 10-year-old Adam and heard about AAFH while receiving treatment at Lurie Children's Hospital in Chicago.

Adam was very excited to receive the digital piano as he had taken piano lessons in the past, but did not have one in his own home. He couldn't wait to open the box and set up his new instrument. No sooner did he have it plugged in then he was playing the opening notes to a Miles Davis song.

Adam is joined in the picture with his sister, Dalia, who also enjoys playing the piano. Both of them are involved with athletics at their school with Dalia playing volleyball and Adam soccer. The brother and sister were also looking forward to the arrival of a new sibling that their mom, Samar, will have later this summer.

And just when we were ready to leave their home after delivering the piano, Adam volunteered to help us take the empty boxes down to the recycling dumpster in their building's parking garage.

It's a joy to see a wonderful young family show the gratitude that comes with the donation provided by Alyssa's foundation. Her legacy lives on in the spirits of the donors as well as the recipients of gifts of art material and musical instruments. We wish Adam and his family many happy hours of playing piano and creating joy.

AAFH Delivers Art Materials to Griselda at Lurie Children's Hospital

On Monday, February 17th, the Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope (AAFH) delivered art materials to Griselda, a high school senior and cancer patient, at the Lurie Children’s Hospital.

Griselda heard about the AAFH gift program through our friend Willow who works as an art therapist at Lurie. Willow was able to help develop Griselda’s interest in art and watch it blossom during her time being treated for cancer. Griselda comes from a large family and, next to their support, the art therapy was extraordinarily helpful to her during many challenging days. So much so that Griselda is now planning to pursue a degree in art therapy as she continues her education in college.

We remember how important the art and music therapists were to our own daughter Alyssa when she was being treated throughout her cancer journey. Young people need to stay hopeful while undergoing treatment for life-threatening illnesses. Art and music therapies are especially important for youth between the ages of 10-21 since they are no longer children and not yet full-grown adults.

It is for this reason that we created the foundation in Alyssa’s memory so that other young people might also be inspired. We are grateful to carry on Alyssa’s legacy in this way.

AAFH Delivers Art Materials to Madelyn at Lurie Children's Hospital

On Thursday, January 9th, the Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope (AAFH) delivered art materials to Madelyn, a 16-year-old painting enthusiast, at the Lurie Children’s Hospital. 

Madelyn is a cancer patient at Lurie’s who learned about the AAFH program that provides art supplies and musical instruments to youth who are facing life-threatening illnesses.  Madelyn’s passion is for oil painting and we were happy to provide her with oil paints, brushes, palettes and canvases.  She was happy to receive them too as seen in this picture with her mom, Megan. 

Our precious daughter Alyssa found a talent for art as part of her therapy after coming out of a coma.  She had always had a passion for music and we used these two loves of hers when we created the foundation in her memory.  Alyssa’s legacy lives on in providing hope to young patients today who are provided the materials to creatively express themselves.

AAFH 10 Year Celebration

A 10 year celebration of Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope was held on Saturday, November 2, 2024. Board Members, volunteers, caregivers, hospital supporters, family and friends gathered to remember Alyssa and celebrate with us the success of Alyssa’s foundation . 

We invited our guests to a formal dinner in celebration of AAFH's ten years of service to young patients facing life-threatening illnesses. During this period, we acknowledged over 10,000 Alyssa Starter Art Kits (SAKs) given to patients at hospitals across US, Mexico, Spain, San Paulo-Brazil and as far as New Delhi, India.  This figure includes about 500 individual gifts of musical instruments, 6 scholarships awarded to Geneva High School (GHS) Seniors and many other music & art accessories (i.e. music stands, instrument cases, art cases, and art smocks and musical masks) that have been given in memory of Alyssa.

The celebration was held at Maggiano's in Oakbrook,  Illinois and attended by over 80 people who have made various contributions to the foundation's success over the past 10 years.  People came from all over Chicagoland, Florida, Texas, California and even Mexico to join in the dinner which happened to fall on Dia de Los Muertos, a traditional Mexican holiday when family and friends gather to pay respects and remember their loved ones who have passed.  In keeping with the tradition, an ofrenda altar (altar offering) was created which contained pictures, candles as well as food items and other small items that were enjoyed by Alyssa.

The evening was very festive as the guests enjoyed each other's company over drinks and hors d'oeuvres.  While that was going on, a beautiful video played on a big screen showing various scenes from Alyssa's entire life - her childhood, her music recitals, birthday and holiday parties with family and friends, her cancer journey, travels and more into her young adulthood.  It was a bittersweet reminder of her full but too short life.  

After a delicious dinner, each of the Board members spoke as well as many others on the impact of Alyssa's life.  That impact continues to resonate with the work of the foundation created in Alyssa’s memory.  We are extraordinarily grateful to have such wonderful support from those of you who help us carry on Alyssa's legacy.

BCBS of Texas Partners with AAFH for a Volunteer Event

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas, Financial Services Division (FSD) leadership team at the company’s Richardson, TX Office organized a volunteer event for the Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope (AAFH) on August 22, 2024. The FSD employees were onsite for Cheryl Nilles’ Team Town Hall meeting and to participate in assembling 100 Alyssa Starter Art Kits (SAKs).

Yoli Alvin, Alyssa's Mom and President of AAFH, flew to Dallas to meet Peggy Walters to set up in advance of the event. At the volunteer event, Yoli gave an overview of the mission and goals of the AAFH while also speaking about Alyssa, her cancer journey and the creation of the foundation in her memory.

Peggy and her volunteers were enthusiastic participants and completed 100 Alyssa Starter Art Kits; 50 kits were delivered to Child Life Specialists -Cassidy Crabb and Jenna Goehring at the Medical City Children’s Hospital and 50 kits to Child Life Assistant - Dylan at the Children’s Medical Center, both located in Dallas.

We are very fortunate to have such broad support throughout many states in the almost 10 years since Alyssa’s foundation was founded. And we are grateful to all those who keep hope alive for young adults facing life-threatening illnesses with our memories of Alyssa's love for the arts as our inspiration.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois Partners with AAFH

The Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope (AAFH) partnered with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois to assemble 100 Alyssa Starter Art Kits (SAKs) on June 12, 2024. This effort was coordinated by Denise Perez-Cabrera, an AAFH Board Member and employee of BCBS.

The company encourages their employees to participate in charitable works and they designated time and space at their downtown Chicago office. AAFH is grateful for the many employees who gave their time to put together the coloring book art kits for distribution to youths facing life threatening illnesses that we serve.

While attending the event, we had the chance to meet Darnesha Evans, founder of The Kennedy Project, created in the memory of her daughter who also lost her life to cancer at a young age.

On June 17, we were happy to meet Darnesha at Advocate Children's Hospital in Oak Lawn to donate 25 coloring book art kits in memory of our precious daughter, Alyssa.

On June 21, we met Darnesha again to donate 35 Alyssa SAKs to the University of Illinois Chicago Hospital and 40 more to Rush Hospital that same day.

We wish Darnesha all the best with her charity and know both the grief of losing a daughter and the rewards of giving in our childs' memories.

The Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope is now in its 10th year and we are grateful to our hundreds of partners, donors, supporters and volunteers who so generously give their time, talent and treasure. We remember Alyssa's love for the arts and her generous heart every time we give Hope to a young person facing similar challenges to those that she endured.

Many thanks to all our donors and volunteers!

Janaat Receives Her Gift at Advocate Children’s Hospital – Oak Lawn, IL

Tim Egan, a dedicated and long-time volunteer of Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope (AAFH) went to Advocate Children’s Hospital in Oak Lawn, IL to fulfill a gift request for Janaat Alfaraheed on Monday, June 10, 2024. Janaat is a young teen being treated at Advocate and heard about Gift Recipient Program available to young patients going through their own medical treatment.

Janaat was accompanied by her mom and they were thrilled to receive the digital camera to pursue her interest in art and photography. Janaat plans to use the camera during her upcoming Make-A-Wish trip to Italy. Lori Mackey-Childlife Specialist and a longtime friend and supporter of AAFH shared our foundation brochure with Janaat and her family. The gift recipient program provides professional art materials and musical instruments to youth with life-threatening illnesses.

We wish Janaat and her family all the best and are grateful that we can continue to bring joy in memory of our precious daughter, Alyssa.

2024 Scholarship Awards

In 2022, Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope (AAFH) launched the Geneva High School Scholarship Program spearheaded by Mary Jane Johnson, AAFH Board Member. Alyssa was in the 2013 graduating class of GHS. Mary Jane Johnson was Alyssa’s counselor during her 4 years at GHS.

This year we awarded three $2000 scholarships to 3 students from Geneva High School. Angelina Kekev is majoring in music and will be attending Illinois State University in Normal, IL. Bailey Hollis is majoring in art and will be attending Ball State University in Muncie, IN. Maddie Johnson will be majoring in music and will be attending Hope College in Holland, MI.

We wish all our scholarship winners success in their continuing studies and in their future endeavors.

We established the Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope to bring the joyful gift of music and the visual arts into the lives of other young people battling cancer. We hope to reach as many young patients as possible with the support of everyone who cares to give a bit of hope and joy to these children and young adults going through their medical treatments.

Below is a picture of two of our winners…Bailey and Maddie.

De Pere, WI Constellation Office Sponsors Volunteer Event & Donation for St. Vincent Children’s Hospital

Constellation employees from three Employee Resource Groups: DYP, CWN and CLN Chapter assembled 100 Alyssa Starter Art Kits on Tuesday, April 23, 2024.   This volunteer effort was sponsored by Constellation Vice President – Craig Avery in the De Pere, Wisconsin Office.

The completed Alyssa Starter Art Kits (SAKs) were donated to HSHS St. Vincent Children’s Hospital located in Green Bay, Wisconsin.  Shannon Kaufmann -Child Life specialist wrote and said, “the art kits are incredible and will be utilized to support our pediatric patients!”  We are very happy the Alyssa SAKs will be given to the young patients being treated there for cancer and other life-threatening illnesses. 

At the beginning of the Volunteer event, Yoli, the founder and President of the Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope organization, thanked the volunteers for giving their time for this worthy cause.

A special “Thank You” goes out to Craig Avery -VP of Gas Sales for his generous contribution through the Powering Communities Program. We also appreciate Amanda Bloedorn and Teri Weitz for helping us organize the volunteer event through the Powering Communities and all the employees who participated in putting together 100 SAKs. 

You are all bringing hope and joy to young patients at HSHS St. Vincent Children’s Hospital.

CONSTELLATION SPONSORS VOLUNTEER EVENT FOR ALYSSA STARTER ART KITS DONATIONS TO 4 HOSPITALS

A total of 80 Constellation employees at three locations assembled 300 Alyssa Starter Art Kits (SAKs) intended for teens at local hospitals being treated for cancer and other life-threatening illnesses. This volunteer effort was sponsored by Constellation’s Chief Administrative Office (CAO) at the Baltimore Headquarters (BHQ) in Maryland, Cantera Office in Illinois, and Kennett Square (KSQ) in Pennsylvania.

The completed art kits were donated to four hospitals near these Constellation offices:

University of Maryland Medical Center (50), Mt. Washington Pediatric Hospital (50), Edward Children’s Hospital (100), and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (100).

Yoli is a Senior Project Manager at Constellation’s IT Group and is the founder and President of Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope (AAFH) organization for last 9 years. Constellation employees have previously supported AAFH volunteer events and have made generous donations through the matching programs and payroll deduction. We are very appreciative of their continued support of AAFH.

A special “Thank You” goes out to the Sponsor Mike Koehler -CAO, Cherice Daniel -CAO Chief of Staff, Roslyn Brown -VP IT Corporate & Support Services, Steve Irby-Director of IT, and the volunteer leads -Antoinette Pedroza, Dannie Pickett and Tim Martzall who organized the volunteer event.

We appreciate all the participants who assembled the Alyssa Starter Art Kits (SAKs) and those that delivered the art kits which will bring hope and joy to young patients at the hospitals mentioned above.

Constellation Retail Sales Group Sponsors Volunteer Event to Assemble Alyssa Starter Art Kits

A group of Constellation employees assembled Alyssa Starter Art Kits (SAKs) on Wednesday, April 10, 2024. Through the Powering Communities Program, a total of 36 employees enrolled and participated in putting together 100 Alyssa Starter Art Kits (SAKs). This volunteer effort was sponsored by Constellation Retail Sales Group at the Riverside Office located in downtown Chicago, Illinois.

The completed Alyssa SAKs were delivered at two local hospitals for Oncology teen patients in the communities we serve: Rush Children’s Hospital, west of the loop area and Ann & Robert H Lurie Children’s Hospital which is where Alyssa received her cancer treatments. The Child Life staff from these hospitals are ready to give the Alyssa SAKs to young patients being treated for cancer and other life-threatening illnesses.

At the beginning of the Volunteer event, Yoli, who works as a Senior Project Manager in Constellation’s IT Group, and the founder and President of Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope organization, thanked the volunteers for giving their time.

Constellation employees have previously supported AAFH volunteer events and have made generous donations through the matching programs and payroll deduction. We are very appreciative of their continued support of AAFH.

A special “Thank You” goes out to Kristen Young VP Retail Partner Sales, Sales Strategy, Enablement and Support for the generous contribution to purchase the art materials for this event, to Erica Bundschuh and to Cynthia Perez for planning and organizing this successful volunteer event!

We appreciate all the participants who assembled the Alyssa Starter Art Kits (SAKs) which will bring hope and joy to young patients at the hospitals selected near the Riverside Office that serves the communities we live in.

Davian Receives a Guitar

Davian received his 12-string acoustic guitar at Lurie Children's Hospital in Chicago on Thursday, March 28, 2024. Daniel Guerrero, Alyssa's cousin and a Board Member of the Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope arrived at Lurie’s after a long work day to deliver Davian his guitar.

Davian was admitted to Lurie’s earlier this week to continue his cancer treatment. Davian’s Dad, David was with him and got to see first-hand the joy of receiving his guitar.

Davian comes from a musical family and he looks forward to learning this instrument so he can play with his other family members. Emily, the Social Worker at Lurie's informed Davian that the music therapist would also be able to offer suggestions to develop his guitar skills.

We wish Davian all the best and are happy to provide some joy to him and his family in memory of Alyssa.

Sunbrite Outdoor Furniture Donates 110 Alyssa Starter Art Kits to Hospitals in Orlando, FL

It was a great pleasure to meet Cindy Andrews, President of Sunbrite Outdoor Furniture in Orlando, Florida on Friday, March 8, 2024. A couple months earlier, Cindy had met Lupe Brueck, a family friend of the Alvins, while they were at a trade association meeting. At that time, Lupe told Cindy about the mission of AAFH and Cindy sought us out to assist in our charitable work.

Cindy agreed to purchase and assemble all the art materials for 110 Alyssa Starter Art Kits (SAKs). Yoli, AAFH President, met Cindy at her family business in Orlando where her company manufactures outdoor pool and patio furniture. Cindy and her husband have run their business for over 20 years, and they are very active in local charities.

In addition to Cindy, Yoli met with some of her staff including Haley, Ian and Lee who participated in assembling the watercolor paint kits and colored pencil art kits. The assembly of the Alyssa SAKs is always an opportunity to get to know the volunteers, learn something about them and, of course, share more about Alyssa, her life and her passion for art and music. All the SAKs were received by Heather Mahony -Manager of ChildLife at Arnold Palmer Children's Hospital and received by Gloria Leyva-Lead ChildLife Specialist at Nemours Children's Hospital, both in Orlando, FL.

Through Alyssa's inspiration, we continue to meet extraordinarily generous people who join us to bring hope to youth facing life-threatening illnesses. We are thankful to Cindy and her team and grateful for all our blessings.

Deliveries of Gifts to Patients at Hospital Civil Guadalajara

On February 9, 2024, AAFH Board Member, Dra. Martha Juarez, Dra. Alma Delgadillo, Yoli Alvin and George Alvin, AAFH founders, delivered various gifts to twenty-three young patients receiving treatment at Hospital Civil ¨Dr. Juan I. Menchaca¨. The gifts consisted of art kits, music headphones, a flute and small toys for 3 very young patients.

Prior to this day, five other young patients at the same hospital received their gifts individually.

These young patients at Hospital Civil are brought to our attention by Dra. Martha and Dra. Alma so we can fulfill their requests for a gift that will lift their spirits and give them a bit of joy while undergoing treatments for their life-threatening illnesses.

We thank Dra. Martha and Dra. Alma for their support in bringing these gifts to the young patients in Hospital Civil de Guadalajara.

Art Kits Donated to Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital

A donation of 50 Alyssa Starter Art Kits (SAKs) were delivered to Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg, FL on Friday, January 5, 2024. Alyssa SAKs delivery was received by Childlife staff.

These Alyssa SAKs continue to be popular art kits for the teens & young adult patients at Johns Hopkins. It enables the young patients to relax and express their creativity during the time they are in-patient at the hospital.

At each delivery we continue meeting so many wonderful people from the professional staff at the hospitals and Ronald McDonald Houses, the volunteers and most importantly, the children and the family members we serve.

If you want to make a difference in a young cancer patient’s life, please donate today! Click here to DONATE.

300 SAK Donations to 5 Local Hospitals This Holiday Season!

While many of us were doing gift shopping and meal planning for the holidays, volunteers for the Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope were out making art kit deliveries.

Alyssa Starter Art Kits (SAKs) had recently been assembled at corporations such as Constellation Energy & Blue Cross & Blue Shield volunteer events. The Alyssa SAKs consisted of drawing kits, coloring book kits and journal kits will be given to young patients being treated for cancer.

The 300 SAKs were delivered to 5 Illinois locations consisting of Ronald McDonald House near Advocate Children's Hospital in Oak Lawn, Loyola University Hospital in Maywood, Rush Children's Hospital, Lurie Children's Hospital, and Shirley Ryan Ability Lab in Chicago.

These art kits were received by Anne, Catherine, Willow, Amy, Molly and some of their therapist team members at their respective workplaces.

We are grateful for all our volunteers and partners who bring hope to young cancer patients. AAFH carries on the spirit of giving joy through art and music in memory of our dear Alyssa.

If you would like to help, please consider making a donation by clicking DONATION.

We hope you had a Merry Christmas and a great start to the New Year 2024!