On Sunday, January 26th, the Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope (AAFH) held a Music percussion event at the RMH near Loyola Medical Center in Hines, IL. Our AAFH Executive Secretary, Denise, & her husband, Johnny, together with Yoli started the event mid-afternoon. They were soon joined by a couple of young girls each accompanied by one of their parents.
Gloria, 11 years old and accompanied by her mother, Adriana, were from Monclova, Coahuila, Mexico just across the Texas border. Devani, 12 years old was joined by her father Ezequiel, and were from San Luis Potosi, Mexico.
Devani in particular was hesitant to try out the various percussion instruments we brought along. Before long, though, both girls were making a joyful racket banging away at the various drums, cowbells, xylophones and other percussive instruments.
Devani and Gloria soon moved onto other play activities and we had a chance to talk to their parents and learn a little more about them. Both girls are being treated at the Shriner’s Children’s Hospital in Oak Park, IL. Due to the unavailability of these treatments in Mexico, both families were the beneficiaries of the generosity of the Shriners, another charitable organization that we greatly admire for their decades of service on behalf of seriously ill children throughout the world.
Sometimes our art and music events are this simple – a couple of children slowly warming up to our presence, engaging with whatever activity we have, smiling, laughing and talking with the other families – all in memory of our precious daughter, Alyssa.
