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.