Volunteer employees at Blue Cross Blue Shield offices in Chicago, IL, Nashville, TN and Richardson, TX participated in the assembly of 1,700 Alyssa Starter Art Kits (SAKs) on behalf of the Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope (AAFH) on Wednesday, June 25, 2025.
The BCBS Chicago office, coordinated by Diana Valencia, was responsible for 1,000 coloring book art kits. The executive team that sponsored the effort included Robert Lembach, Chief Accounting Officer, Ashwin Hathiramani, Divisional Vice President, Cheryl Nilles, Vice President & Chief Statutory Reporting Officer. Assisting Diana in the direct coordination of the art kit assembly in Chicago was Ann Marie Rodriguez, Kevin Righeimer and Mike Mastropolo in addition to scores of wonderful volunteers.
400 Alyssa SAKs were delivered that same afternoon to Lurie Children’s Hospital, Prentice Hospital and the Ronald McDonald House near Northwestern in downtown Chicago by AAFH volunteers Bob Johnson and Tim Egan.
In Nashville, TN, 200 kits were assembled led by executive member Ryan Loyd, Vice President and coordinated by Judy Rizzuto and Sam Myhre with deliveries going to TriStar Centennial Children’s Hospital and Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
In Richardson, TX, 500 art kits were assembled led by Griselda Sena with deliveries going to Medical City Children’s Hospital and the Children’s Medical Center.in Dallas, TX.
The assembly and delivery of 1,700 Alyssa Starter Art Kits usually takes place over the course of a year rather than a few days which was only possible through the extraordinary generosity of corporate sponsor Blue Cross Blue Shield and their incredible volunteer team. Thank you so much for your efforts in keeping hope alive for youth facing life-threatening illnesses and in memory of our precious daughter, Alyssa Alvin.
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. With our sincere appreciation.