In September, The Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope (AAFH) traveled to the Kohl’s store in Lemont, IL and Batavia, IL to pick up a total of 200 art kits that Kohl’s Associates in Action (Kohl’s AiA) employees prepared during their volunteer events.
While the AAFH purchases and provides the various art materials for the Alyssa Starter Art Kits (SAKs), Kohl’s has been a great partner by taking these art materials and assembling them into the Alyssa SAKs. We pick up the finished Alyssa SAKs after their team of associates have assembled them. We then deliver the Alyssa SAKs to various children’s hospitals and Ronald McDonald Houses. The goal is to put a Alyssa Starter Art Kit in the hands young adult patients fighting a life-threatening illness. Additionally, Kohl’s donates $500 to AAFH so that we can continue purchasing more art materials to turn into Alyssa SAKs. This process ensures more opportunities for young patients to experience the joy of creating art with our kits.
At the Lemont store, we met Ann Combes - Manager who shared with us the challenges that her own 21-year-old daughter is experiencing with an as-yet undiagnosed illness. Ann and her family have come to quickly realize the fragility of our health and the importance of charitable work.
We will keep Ann and her family in our thoughts and prayers and express our gratitude to the Kohl’s associate volunteers as well as organizations that are committed to assisting others in their time of need.
We thank Nicole Frederickson - Manager of the Batavia Store and the Associates in Action for volunteering their time to assemble the Alyssa Starter Art Kits once again!
Alyssa’s journey has provided a different perspective on how my family and I view our purpose in this life. Though we would not have wanted this perspective thrust upon us in the way it was, we nevertheless draw inspiration from the way Alyssa lived her brief but beautiful life.
Thank you again to all the supporters of AAFH in helping us bring joy through art and music!
