Yorkville HS Madrigals Bring Joy to the House
AIM Specialty Health - Solution Management Team - Give Art
Ashley's Art gift presented by Rochelle. To read more about Ashley, go to the Gallery Gift Recipient section of website.
Art Auction Winners - Give Hope to other Teens with cancer! View the photos from the 1st Annual Art Exhibit.
Looks like guests had fun dancing! See more pictures of La Fiesta de Arte on AlyssaalvinfoundationforHope Gallery section of the website!
Happy Teen!
Teen enjoys Art Night!
More Smiles with Music!
AAFH Volunteer Musician's Perform at Lurie Children's
Go to the Gallery Gift Recipients section of our website to read Manuel's story.
Marianne and Yoli arriving with Musical Instruments at Central DuPage Hospital!
Honoring another Gift Recipient!
1st Music Night at RMH!
A week ago, a group of volunteers came to the Alvin House to prepare Alyssa's Starter Art Kits (SAKs). Some of the professional art supplies were previously donated to Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope and some were purchased to create Alyssa's SAKs.
Alyssa's SAKs included an art bag, canvas, paints, brushes, palette, colored pencils and sketch paper. Each art bag had Alyssa's Foundation Logo hand written on it. The volunteers also wrote a special note for the recipient of Alyssa's SAKs.
The volunteers prepared 15 of Alyssa's SAKs; 8 for young adults & 7 for young teens.
It was a fun experience for the volunteers and they enjoyed lunch with the Alvin's.
On Thursday, August 20th, George and Yoli delivered 10 of Alyssa's SAKs to Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago. We also delivered 4 more musical instruments (electric guitar, bass guitar, amplifier and DJ Mixer. Both the Music Therapist and Art Therapist welcomed us.
Here's an excerpt from the letter we received from Lurie Children's Hospital Staff - "you create a better, brighter and more fun healing environment for our children. It was so nice to see you and we truly appreciate the time and dedication it took to get Alyssa's SAKs together and delivered to us".
On Friday, August 21st, Yoli delivered 5 of Alyssa's SAKs to Ronald McDonald House near Central DuPage Hospital and 3 more musical instruments (2 electronic keyboards and 1 flute).
Release 20 Balloons to celebrate Alyssa's birthday at Wheeler Park in Geneva, IL. Click on the link below and read the entire blog. Also, visit the Main Gallery on Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope to see the pictures from the Miniature Golf Benefit. Thank you for being part of Alyssa's Team!
July 23 is a Special Day because that is the day Alyssa was born. She would be 20 years today. Alyssa loved celebrating her birthday and everyone else's birthdays too. We remember all of Alyssa's Birthdays and the parties we held for her with family and friends. Sharing, caring & loving is what Alyssa showed us on a daily basis. Today, share, care and love someone in honor of Alyssa! Click on the link to read the entire blog.
Doug, the grandfather of a 10 year old boy staying at Lurie Children's Hospital was quoted as saying "That was the best meal since I've been here". He was happy to talk to the AAFH volunteers! Left to right: Incoming Executive Secretary-Denise, Advisory Board Member-Dan, Co-Founder-Yoli, Chef Volunteer-Rafael, Volunteer-Tom, RMH guest-Doug, Volunteers-John, Heather & Nancy
We are saddened by the news that a dear friend, Nathan L., passed away. Nathan is special because, like Alyssa, he cared for others. When Alyssa was at Lurie Children’s Hospital and Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago last year, Nathan visited Alyssa and gave her encouragement and hope. Even when Nathan was being treated for a cancerous tumor at Northwestern Hospital, he still made time to visit Alyssa.
We were honored to have Nathan as our guest speaker at the Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope 1st Benefit Recital in April, 2015. Nathan was 24 years old, attended GHS and completed his degree at U of I.
We are praying for Nathan’s parents as they mourn the loss of their beloved son. We wish them peace and comfort in the days ahead and pray that Nathan’s memories give them strength, love and hope.
Nathan and his parents will always be part of the Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope family. May our dear friend Nathan rest in peace and may we always remember him the rest of our lives.
Alfred playing his Italian accordion for the last time before donating it to the Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope (AAFH). Ronald McDonald Director, Mark Shouger (c) accepted the accordion presented by Tom Sandman (l), AAFH volunteer and Dan Modjeski (r)
I’m so happy that people have been so giving to our foundation in honor of Alyssa! We’ve collected a lot of musical instruments in the last few months! I’ve met a lot of wonderful people who have given us musical instruments, but one particular person came to mind as I write this blog post. I think we all have a story to tell and a personal reason why we give to charity organizations.
A few weeks ago, I met a man named Thomas who wanted to give us musical instruments. Thomas contacted us and said he read the Kane County Chronicle article about the Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope. He said that after reading the article, he knew that he found the charity that he wanted to give musical instruments to in honor of his wife Dee.
Dee passed away a few years ago. She was a musician and loved music just like Alyssa. Thomas was happy to give Dee’s instruments, which included a cello, electronic keyboard, recorder, flute and clarinet. He admired us for continuing Alyssa’s love of music and the fact that we want to bring the joyful gift of music into the lives of other young people battling cancer.
On Thursday, June 11th, we will deliver seven musical instruments to the Ronald McDonald House in Winfield and Friday, June 12th, we will deliver ten musical instruments to Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago. We already delivered 8 instruments to the Ronald McDonald House in Chicago during our Maud Powell String Quartet Fundraiser, which took place on Saturday, May 23rd. A total of 25 musical items received by Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope will be donated to these three institutions! Isn’t that amazing!
The Ronald McDonald House in Chicago (RMHC) even established a process to check-in/check-out musical instruments! The children at RMHC will be able to borrow from the Alyssa Alvin Foundation Music Instrument Collection. In addition, RHMC will be including information on how to ‘check-out’ musical instruments in the directory found in every single room. The material will show all of the instruments and music books available for the guests to borrow. Mark, the Senior House Director said, “This wonderful Foundation is allowing children with the opportunity to experience the joy of music in the face of adversity.”
I think it’s a beautiful thing that the children can be creative, have fun and enjoy music while they stay at the House! We are so excited to be able to spread the music! Thank you to all of our donors and sponsors for helping us Give Hope!
Alyssa’s love for music lives on!
Yoli Alvin
