Rock Painting Art Night with Patients at RMH near Lurie Children’s Hospital

The Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope (AAFH) held an Art Night on Wednesday, February 26th, 2020 at the Ronald McDonald House near Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago. We brought paintable rocks with stenciled shapes for the children and their family members to decorate.

Participation at this event was great with the Kenyetta’s three young children – Mariyal, King and Keely; Laci’s son, Robert; Brooke’s son, Sailor; and Gia’s son, Michael.

The age range of the children was from 1 to 11 with the families coming from Illinois, Florida and Arizona. While all the children and their parents enjoyed themselves thoroughly, 11-year-old Michael distinguished himself by being the first to arrive and the last to leave. Not only did he paint several rock pieces, but he was very generous with his offer to help us set up and break down the art supplies for the event. Michael told us he was going to visit the AAFH website and plans to submit a Gift Request.

Each of the children were also able to take home at least one of 5 different types of Alyssa Starter Art Kits we donated to this RMH. The 50 donated kits included journals, sketch pads, coloring books and acrylics as well as watercolor paint supplies.

Alyssa never tired of her joy for life and her desire to express her creativity through art and music. We never tire of seeing the joy we bring to other children and their family members when we bring art and music to them at these events.

100 Women Who Care

The Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope was awarded a generous donation in the amount of $6,750 from the St. Charles 100 Women Who Care. 100 Women Who Care is an organization founded by Susan Liechti, Lori Linkimer, and others. The organization has fewer than 100 members and is currently seeking more memberships.

The Mission of the organization is to make an impact on the community by each woman donating $100 to a local charity selected at a meeting. The group meets once per quarter and, within an hour’s time, money is awarded to a local charity. At each meeting, three members are chosen randomly to present their choice of a local non-profit 501 (c) 3 organization they wish to nominate for consideration. The three members are given 5 minutes each to present their charity to the group. Afterwards, the group votes on which charity will receive the support.

Debbie Carr and Joanna Martin presented Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope (AAFH) on Monday, January 20, 2020 at the WWC meeting. After the presentations, the group voted by ballot and the ballots were tallied. AAFH organization was the charity with the most votes and won the proceeds from that evening.

We are grateful to Debbie and Joanna who believe in the healing power of music and art for the young patients going through life-threatening diseases. It is organizations like 100 WWC who help us continue bringing joy and hope to teens and young adult patients every day through our music and art programs.

Thursday, February 29, 2020, Susan, Lori, Debbie, and Joanna stopped by the Alvin Residence in Geneva, IL, to deliver the $6,750 donation checks. We thank all the 100 Women Who Care from St Charles and wish you a wonderful Year!

Bringing Art to Braiden

After Braiden got home from school, Yoli – Alyssa’s mom & President of Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope (AAFH) surprised Braiden by delivering his gift request of professional art materials to his home in Oswego, IL on Monday, February 3, 2020.

Braiden is being treated at Central DuPage Children’s Hospital (CDH) in Winfield, IL. He was diagnosed with high risk acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and receives chemo outpatient treatment at CDH on a regular basis.

Braiden found out about AAFH’s art and music program from Katie at the Ronald McDonald House across the street from CDH. Braiden was very excited and asked his mom, Sheri, to contact us and find out if he could receive art materials from AAFH. Braiden enjoys the arts and crafts and asked for an art easel and bag to hold all his art supplies. Braiden plans on sharing his art supplies with his 5 siblings so all can enjoy their creativity with each other.

We couldn’t think of a better way to begin the week than sharing Alyssa’s love of art with another young patient and his family. The happiness that we see on the smiling faces of our recipients is a wonderful reminder that we are fulfilling the mission of Alyssa’s foundation and giving Hope to the gift recipients.

Jack Receives a Drum Kit for His Birthday

On Saturday, February 1st, the Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope (AAFH) delivered a Simmons SD200 Electronic Drum Kit to Jack, an 11-year-old from Villa Park, IL. Jack submitted a gift request to our website after finding out about our Foundation through Anna Nanniceli, who supports the Oncology Department at Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago and talks to young patients while undergoing treatments there.

Jack is a sixth-grade student who excels in his schoolwork and has an interest in learning how to play piano and drums. Jack was diagnosed with Post-Transplant Lymphoproliferative Disorder (PTLD) in June 2019 and is regularly treated at Lurie Children’s Hospital. During the gift delivery we met Jack’s parents, Tony and Lindsay, as well as his younger brother who goes by the nickname, “Q”. Jack and his family were thrilled to receive the drum kit and look forward to setting it up for Jack to begin playing.

We are grateful to see the smile and happiness our music gift brought to Jack a day before his birthday.

In memory of Alyssa, we carry on the Foundation’s mission of bringing music and art to young patients every day!

Valentine's Day Themed Art Night at RMH – Winfield, IL

The Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope (AAFH) held an Art Night at the RMH in Winfield, IL. on Thursday, January 23, 2020. It was a Valentine’s Day themed event as we painted heart-shaped boxes, picture frames and heart-shaped wood hanging decorations.

As it usually occurs, we had different sets of participants, young patients and parents joining in on the fun of creating personalized art works. Sometimes the parents begin by assisting their child but, before long, the parent is also focused on creating their individual pieces.

On this evening, we had two mother-daughter artists (Denise/Destinee and Yolanda/Daisy) and one mother-son group (Christina/Brody) having fun and expressing their own version of Valentine’s Day themes. It’s a beautiful sight to behold when you can see the smiles that spontaneously emerge on the faces of the artists as they often surprise themselves with their creations.

Alyssa’s own artistic talent (besides her gift for music displayed at an early age) emerged fully during art therapy sessions while receiving her medical treatment at Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago. It was and continues to be a source of great joy to see what she created at that time. And it makes us happy to share her passions with others during their difficult times.

Percussion Music Afternoon at RMH near Loyola - Hines, IL

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.

Bringing Music to Young Patients at RMH East in St. Petersburg

The Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope with assistance by Alexis, Alyssa’s cousin, held a percussion music event on Saturday, January 18, 2020 at the Ronald McDonald House (RMH) East near All Children’s Hospital Johns Hopkins in St. Petersburg, FL for the young patients and their families staying at the RMH.

A variety of percussion instruments such as the music triangle, music sticks, two-tone wooden block, tambourine, maracas, xylophone and Spanish castanets were brought so the patients and their families could enjoy.

As we were setting up the musical instruments in the Bubble Room, young patients staying at the RMH started coming over and quickly started playing some of the percussion instruments they liked. The children made different sounds with the instruments and expressed their joy with the smiles on their faces.

We are ever thankful for the opportunity to share Alyssa’s love for music with these young patients and their families as they go through their own medical journey.

Gifts Presented to Young Adult Patients in Mexico

Dra. Martha Juarez, as Board member and volunteer for the Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope (AAFH), started the new year by meeting with two young adult patients diagnosed with leukemia at the Hospital Civil de Guadalajara-Fray Antonio Alcalde in Jalisco, Mexico. She spoke to them about the AAFH and offered them a musical or art gift of their choice. She assisted them with formalizing their requests through our website and quickly delivered their gifts while still in-patient at the hospital.

On January 13, 2020, Sandivel Lopez, a 20-year-old, received the black ukulele he had requested.

On January 15, 2020, Fatima Gabriela, a 19-year-old, received professional art supplies she had requested.

Many thanks to Dra. Martha for expeditiously arranging for the delivery of the gifts to Sandivel and Fatima. We are grateful to Dra. Martha for her continued commitment to the goals and mission of Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope.

AAFH 2019 Accomplishments

It was a very busy 2019 for AAFH, we welcomed Dra. Martha Juarez, as our newest member of the AAFH Board in the second quarter. Dra. Martha has been involved with AAFH since November 2016 on Yoli’s first visit to Hospital Civil de Guadalajara when we made the first Alyssa Starter Art Kit delivery. Dra. Martha has been working with Oncology patients for over 25 years at Hospital Civil de Guadalajara and is honored to be part of Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope. Even though Dra. Martha never met Alyssa, she admires the work being done in her memory and looks forward to continuing her support of the foundation’s mission in Guadalajara, Mexico. She continues to be an active volunteer and participant in the music/art programs established by our foundation. Dra. Martha has taken the lead in coordinating the gift recipient deliveries for teens and young adults at the two Hospital Civils de Guadalajara- Dr. Juan I. Menchaca and Hospital Fray Antonio Alcalde.

We held 2 main fundraisers-La Fiesta de Musica in the Spring and La Fiesta de Arte in the Fall of 2019. Both of these events were successful and raised money to fulfill the mission and goals of the organization. We thank the many sponsors and donors for their financial support as we can continue serving the young patients battling cancer and other life-threatening diseases.

A total of 1,445 Alyssa Starter Art Kits were delivered to 20 hospital and medical institutions plus 8 RMHs in the Chicagoland area, Florida, Barcelona -Spain, San Paolo-Brazil and Mexico. A total of 54 gift recipients received personal gifts of musical instruments, headphones, craft items and professional art supplies in 2019.

Our volunteers provided support in successfully carrying out 15 Art/Music Nights: 6 Art Nights and 9 Music Nights at six RMHs in the Chicagoland area and in St. Petersburg, Florida. We want to thank our volunteers for continuing to assist us in fulfilling our mission and our generous donors for their financial contributions!

We wish everyone a prosperous 2020!

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois Volunteers Assemble Alyssa Starter Art Kits

Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBSIL) employees organized a volunteer team on Monday, December 30, 2019 to create Alyssa Starter Art Kits (SAKs) under their Community Partner program in support of the Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope (AAFH). A total of 12 volunteers completed 100 Alyssa SAKs!

AAFH earns Matching Dollars for each volunteer hour logged into Blue Corps and has been a community partner since 2016. This volunteer effort was led by Denise Perez-Cabrera, Executive Secretary of Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope. We appreciate Denise for her dedication to Alyssa’s foundation and the other employees who helped her coordinate this event: Maristella Sacarelos and Marina Herrera.

Besides Maristella and Marina, other volunteers included the following: Amalia De La Rosa, Annette Bilgin, Felice Chang, James Progar, Juan Mendoza, Michael Fernandes, Monica Elliott, Ramon Rivera and Russell Lyon.

Dr. Stephanie Vomvouras -VP at BCBSIL attended to show her support as this is one of Health Care Service Corporation’s (HCSC) LEAD Behaviors - to Foster community involvement and Live Our Purpose. HCSC is parent company of BCBSIL.

The BCBSIL volunteers assembled acrylic paint kits and ocean themed-coloring book kits. These Alyssa SAKs will be delivered to teens and young adults being treated for cancer and other life-threatening diseases at hospitals and Ronald McDonald Houses across Illinois, Florida, Mexico and Spain.

A big “THANK YOU” to our volunteers from BCBSIL for this great event and for ending 2019 in an uplifting spirit!

A total of 1,375 Alyssa Starter Art Kits were delivered during 2019 and it is only because of YOU, our volunteers! You have our sincere gratitude.

Sharing Alyssa's Love of Barcelona

The Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope (AAFH) made a delivery of 50 SAKs to Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron & Casa Ronald in Barcelona, Spain on December 17, 2019. We were accompanied by Pilar (Pili) Gavin, a special family friend who Alyssa last visited in Barcelona 6 years ago. Pili took time out of her day to make the necessary contacts and arrangements for the deliveries at these two institutions. We are deeply thankful to Pili for this.

The delivery of 30 Alyssa SAKs was made to an oncology medical team at the hospital-Dr. Lucas Moreno, Esther Diaz, Elena Rubio and Marta Gascon Marti. The delivery of 20 Alyssa SAKs was made to RMH Manager - Mari Carmen Toledo at Casa Ronald at Vall d’ Hebron. A variety of Alyssa SAKs were delivered to each institution such as drawing kits, journal kits, and ocean theme coloring book kits.

We were happy to return to one of Alyssa’s favorite places and share Alyssa’s spirit, her love of the arts and her desire to inspire and help others. We took a side trip to Tossa de Mar, a small town on the Mediterranean Sea just north of Barcelona. Accompanied by the Marquez Gavin family: Diego, Pili, Diego Jr. and Oscar, we sprinkled Alyssa’s ashes along the coast of this small quaint town. This was a special trip to Barcelona which we will always treasure since we share Alyssa’s love for the Mediterranean Sea and her love for the Marquez Gavin family.

*Disclosure: Travel expenditures, i.e., airfare and lodging expenses, were not paid by the AAFH.

Music Event & Delivery of Alyssa SAKs to RMH East - St. Petersburg, FL

It was a sunny day when Alyssa’s parents & founders of the Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope along with dear friend and volunteer-Marina Herrera, arrived at the Ronald McDonald House (RMH) East near All Children’s Hospital Johns Hopkins in St. Petersburg, FL on Thursday, December 5, 2019 to hold a percussion music event.

We brought a variety of percussion instruments such as triangle, music sticks, two-tone wooden block, tambourine, maracas and our newest xylophone. As we were setting up the musical instruments in the Bubble Room, children staying at the RMH started coming over and quickly started playing some of the percussion instruments they liked. The children made different sounds with the instruments and the smiles on their faces put a smile on all of us too!

We presented Karen Matthews, Manager of the RMH staff, with 50 Alyssa Starter Art Kits. The delivery included a variety of art kits such as ocean coloring books, drawing kits, watercolor kits, acrylic kits and journals. Each child and family member selected an Alyssa SAK of their choice.

We are thankful that we can share Alyssa’s love for the arts with others. A Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all of you!

Eddy Finn Ukulele Given to Lexi

The Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope (AAFH) fulfilled a gift request of a tenor Eddy Finn Ukulele to 12-year-old, Lexi, at Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago on Friday, November 22, 2019. Lexi is being treated there for Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH), a rare disorder in which the body makes too many white blood cells. Lexi was with her parents-Maria and Vito.

Lexi lives in Arlington Heights, IL with her family. She is in middle school and likes music and playing the ukulele. Lexi was introduced to the ukulele while at Lurie’s for treatment and she loved the string instrument. She also plays the trombone at school. Lexi loves to play sports and hang out with her friends.

On this same day at Lurie’s, we delivered a violin to Elizabeth Klinger – Music Therapist who will be showing in-patient children how to play the violin throughout the hospital. Elizabeth indicated that recently, many children have been asking for a violin they can borrow while at the hospital.

Thanks to Willow-Art Therapist, Lexi heard about Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope and submitted her gift request on our website. It is our pleasure to honor gift requests of art supplies or musical instruments in keeping with Alyssa’s passions and our Foundation’s mission. Thank you to Instrument Exchange for their continued support and for ordering the musical instruments requested by our gift recipients!

ComEd Claims Department Collects Donations to Prepare Alyssa SAKs

Vincent Powell and Joanna Cassell – ComEd Claims Case Managers sponsored a Volunteer event to benefit Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope on Thursday, November 21, 2019.

An enthusiastic group of 35 volunteers participated in the preparation of 250 Alyssa Starter Art Kits (SAKs) at the LC3 ComEd office in Oakbrook, IL. The volunteers prepared 5 different art packages which included acrylic paint kits, watercolor paint kits, drawing kits, stress relieving adult coloring books and journal kits.

The ComEd Claim volunteers raised a total of $3,320 with Exelon’s Match Gift Program. This program allows employees to give their donations to charities of their choice and Exelon (ComEd’s parent company) then matches the giving contribution up to $5,000 for employees or $10,000 for Executives.

Upon completion of the volunteer event, Jacqueline Bett and Lillian Rodriquez- ComEd Claims Liability Reps delivered Alyssa SAKs together with Yoli - President of Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope to Central DuPage Hospital in Winfield, IL.

We appreciate the generous donations from the ComEd Claim volunteers and their personal commitment to directly enlighten a child’s life during this holiday season. Everyone’s efforts made this volunteer event a great success.

We hope all the ComEd Claim volunteers had fun and wish them a joyful and peaceful holiday!

Exelon Employee Volunteers Prepare Alyssa SAKs

A group of Exelon employees held a Volunteer Event to assemble Alyssa Starter Art Kits (SAKs) in support of Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope. A total of 25 volunteers participated in putting together 200 Alyssa Starter Art Kits. This volunteer effort was sponsored by Exelon Nuclear IT Director – Jane Wagner at the Cantera Office in Winfield, IL.

The completed art kits were delivered to Edwards Hospital in Naperville and will be given to young patients being treated there for cancer and other life-threatening illnesses.

Yoli is a Senior Project Manager in Nuclear IT and an Exelon Volunteer Impact Leader for the Cantera Office. In addition, she is President of the Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope organization. Exelon employees have previously supported AAFH volunteer events and have made generous donations through the matching programs and continue to work together with Yoli in supporting AAFH.

A special “Thank You” goes out to Amy for all the planning and great long-sleeve t-shirts she designed for this volunteer event.

We appreciate all the participants’ time in assembling the Alyssa Starter Art Kits (SAKs) which will bring hope and joy to young patients at local hospitals and medical facilities before the holidays.

AAFH Hosts Art Night at RMH near the UChicago Medicine Comer Children’s Hospital

On Monday, October 28, 2019, the Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope (AAFH) held an Art Night and delivered Alyssa Starter Art Kits (SAKs) at the RMH near the University of Chicago Medicine Comer Children’s Hospital. For the second time this season, the Art Night had a Halloween/Day of the Dead theme with pumpkins and skulls to paint and color.

AAFH also made a donation of 25 Alyssa Starter Art Kits of various types including journal, drawing and painting kits. The House Managers at RMH, Alexis and Don, accepted the kits. They also told us a little bit about the restoration that had taken place at the House after serious water damage occurred in the building last year.

Perhaps it was because they had recently re-opened, there were very few young people around that evening. We did meet a few parents who were able to take an Alyssa SAK on behalf of their child or a skull and some markers to decorate with them later.

We also had the opportunity to simply talk with and share stories with some of the parents who were around the kitchen…it was a worthwhile experience.

Most importantly, we know that the art kits will soon end up in the hands of a child who is being treated for a life-threatening illness and that they will find some joy and relief in the use of their own creative skills. On these quieter event nights, we reflect even more on Alyssa’s legacy of love and sharing.

Art Kits Delivery to RMH near Comer Children’s Hospital

The Ronald McDonald House (RMH) near UChicago Medicine Comer Children’s Hospital officially reopened on October 1, 2019, after 8 months of recovering from a water pipe burst that flooded the House. RMH is looking forward to beginning a new chapter and welcoming families back to fill the House with love.

On Tuesday, October 15, 2019, Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope delivered 50 Alyssa Starter Art Kits (SAKs) to RMH with Dave, the Resident Manager, taking delivery of the 50 SAKs.

Mardell – RMH House Director said, “the Alyssa SAKs are a big hit with the young adult patients, and we are excited to give them out”. The Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope Volunteer Team will be hosting a Halloween themed Art Night at this RMH on October 28, 2019. We love sharing Alyssa’s love of the arts with the children and families staying at the RMHs.

Fiesta de Arte 2019

On Sunday, October 13th, the Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope (AAFH) hosted the 5th annual Fiesta de Arte at El Molcajete Restaurant in Geneva, IL. The fundraising event was a silent auction featuring a local artist’s work along with other gift baskets donated by friends, supporters and local businesses. Guests mingled while being fed with delicious appetizers and refreshments while listening to a brief talk about the Foundation’s work.

This year’s featured artist, Mary Lu O’Halloran, lives in Geneva and comes from a long line of artists in her family. Her work has been displayed at the Art Institute of Chicago among other places and we were deeply moved to have her create and donate several beautiful pieces specifically for our event. Mary Lu and her husband, John, met Alyssa socially and became lovely friends before Alyssa’s parents had the opportunity to meet them. Mary Lu and John were early supporters of AAFH and actually made the first musical instrument donation that our organization gave to a teenage girl in April 2015.

Mary Lu wowed us with her art and said a few words about her memories of Alyssa and the spiritual inspiration that guided the works she created. Alyssa’s Mom and President of AAFH, Yoli, then spoke to thank Mary Lu, the donors and guests before introducing our latest gift recipient Rosalia’s mom, Teresa Majera. Teresa talked about Rosalia and the challenges she has been going through since being diagnosed with leukemia last September. Rosalia heard about AAFH at Lurie Children’s Hospital through Willow Messier-Art Therapist, and submitted her gift request for professional art supplies. Unfortunately, Rosalia could not attend the event but will be presented with her professional art supplies gift at a later time soon.

Teresa shared with all of us in attendance the emotional struggle that impacts the entire family when a family member is stricken with a life-threatening disease. We remember it well and pray for the health of their family. We are happy that we can provide a positive outlet for patients and their families when we share Alyssa’s love of art and music through the work of the Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope.

As always, we are grateful to the support shown by our extended family of AAFH supporters. A list of our many donors including our host, El Molcajete Restaurant, can be found by going to our Sponsor tab on our website.

Thank you all for a wonderful afternoon and a successful Fiesta de Arte!

Art Night at RMH near Loyola University Medical Center

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.