On Wednesday, October 2, the Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope (AAFH) held an Art Night and delivered Alyssa Starter Art Kits (SAKs) at the RMH near Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood, IL. This Art Night had a Halloween/Day of the Dead theme as we brought in pumpkins and skulls to paint.
AAFH also donated 25 Alyssa SAKs of various types including journal, drawing, adult ocean coloring and painting kits. Kailah Bediako-House Manager at RMH accepted the kits from us. Many of the participants also received an Alyssa SAK after creating their art works during the event.
This was another busy and successful Art Night with lots of enthusiastic children and family members. We got re-acquainted with our Gambian friend, Ismalla Jarju, a 10-year-old boy who showed great skill and attention to detail in his artwork. We also had fun working with Finn, an 8-year-old boy and his mom, Brooke, as well as with Mason, a 3-year-old boy and both of his parents.
We were also very pleased to have additional members of our own family able to participate and assist with the event. Alyssa’s cousin, Rick and his wife, Adrienne, along with their young girls, Olivia and Kathryn Alyssa, had a wonderful time painting.
We got to meet a 17-year-old patient, Ruby, from Toronto, who traveled all the way from Canada with her Mom for care in the Chicago area. Ruby is a highly ranked swimmer despite having little use of her legs in the water. We were so impressed with her and she reminded us of the tenacity that so many of these youth with serious illnesses demonstrate.
We are grateful to bring a little joy into their lives by sponsoring our Art Nights and we feel Alyssa’s loving presence with each event.
