Constellation Retail Sales Group Sponsors Volunteer Event to Assemble Alyssa Starter Art Kits

A group of Constellation employees assembled Alyssa Starter Art Kits (SAKs) on Wednesday, April 10, 2024. Through the Powering Communities Program, a total of 36 employees enrolled and participated in putting together 100 Alyssa Starter Art Kits (SAKs). This volunteer effort was sponsored by Constellation Retail Sales Group at the Riverside Office located in downtown Chicago, Illinois.

The completed Alyssa SAKs were delivered at two local hospitals for Oncology teen patients in the communities we serve: Rush Children’s Hospital, west of the loop area and Ann & Robert H Lurie Children’s Hospital which is where Alyssa received her cancer treatments. The Child Life staff from these hospitals are ready to give the Alyssa SAKs to young patients being treated for cancer and other life-threatening illnesses.

At the beginning of the Volunteer event, Yoli, who works as a Senior Project Manager in Constellation’s IT Group, and the founder and President of Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope organization, thanked the volunteers for giving their time.

Constellation employees have previously supported AAFH volunteer events and have made generous donations through the matching programs and payroll deduction. We are very appreciative of their continued support of AAFH.

A special “Thank You” goes out to Kristen Young VP Retail Partner Sales, Sales Strategy, Enablement and Support for the generous contribution to purchase the art materials for this event, to Erica Bundschuh and to Cynthia Perez for planning and organizing this successful volunteer event!

We appreciate all the participants who assembled the Alyssa Starter Art Kits (SAKs) which will bring hope and joy to young patients at the hospitals selected near the Riverside Office that serves the communities we live in.

Davian Receives a Guitar

Davian received his 12-string acoustic guitar at Lurie Children's Hospital in Chicago on Thursday, March 28, 2024. Daniel Guerrero, Alyssa's cousin and a Board Member of the Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope arrived at Lurie’s after a long work day to deliver Davian his guitar.

Davian was admitted to Lurie’s earlier this week to continue his cancer treatment. Davian’s Dad, David was with him and got to see first-hand the joy of receiving his guitar.

Davian comes from a musical family and he looks forward to learning this instrument so he can play with his other family members. Emily, the Social Worker at Lurie's informed Davian that the music therapist would also be able to offer suggestions to develop his guitar skills.

We wish Davian all the best and are happy to provide some joy to him and his family in memory of Alyssa.

Sunbrite Outdoor Furniture Donates 110 Alyssa Starter Art Kits to Hospitals in Orlando, FL

It was a great pleasure to meet Cindy Andrews, President of Sunbrite Outdoor Furniture in Orlando, Florida on Friday, March 8, 2024. A couple months earlier, Cindy had met Lupe Brueck, a family friend of the Alvins, while they were at a trade association meeting. At that time, Lupe told Cindy about the mission of AAFH and Cindy sought us out to assist in our charitable work.

Cindy agreed to purchase and assemble all the art materials for 110 Alyssa Starter Art Kits (SAKs). Yoli, AAFH President, met Cindy at her family business in Orlando where her company manufactures outdoor pool and patio furniture. Cindy and her husband have run their business for over 20 years, and they are very active in local charities.

In addition to Cindy, Yoli met with some of her staff including Haley, Ian and Lee who participated in assembling the watercolor paint kits and colored pencil art kits. The assembly of the Alyssa SAKs is always an opportunity to get to know the volunteers, learn something about them and, of course, share more about Alyssa, her life and her passion for art and music. All the SAKs were received by Heather Mahony -Manager of ChildLife at Arnold Palmer Children's Hospital and received by Gloria Leyva-Lead ChildLife Specialist at Nemours Children's Hospital, both in Orlando, FL.

Through Alyssa's inspiration, we continue to meet extraordinarily generous people who join us to bring hope to youth facing life-threatening illnesses. We are thankful to Cindy and her team and grateful for all our blessings.

Deliveries of Gifts to Patients at Hospital Civil Guadalajara

On February 9, 2024, AAFH Board Member, Dra. Martha Juarez, Dra. Alma Delgadillo, Yoli Alvin and George Alvin, AAFH founders, delivered various gifts to twenty-three young patients receiving treatment at Hospital Civil ¨Dr. Juan I. Menchaca¨. The gifts consisted of art kits, music headphones, a flute and small toys for 3 very young patients.

Prior to this day, five other young patients at the same hospital received their gifts individually.

These young patients at Hospital Civil are brought to our attention by Dra. Martha and Dra. Alma so we can fulfill their requests for a gift that will lift their spirits and give them a bit of joy while undergoing treatments for their life-threatening illnesses.

We thank Dra. Martha and Dra. Alma for their support in bringing these gifts to the young patients in Hospital Civil de Guadalajara.

Art Kits Donated to Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital

A donation of 50 Alyssa Starter Art Kits (SAKs) were delivered to Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg, FL on Friday, January 5, 2024. Alyssa SAKs delivery was received by Childlife staff.

These Alyssa SAKs continue to be popular art kits for the teens & young adult patients at Johns Hopkins. It enables the young patients to relax and express their creativity during the time they are in-patient at the hospital.

At each delivery we continue meeting so many wonderful people from the professional staff at the hospitals and Ronald McDonald Houses, the volunteers and most importantly, the children and the family members we serve.

If you want to make a difference in a young cancer patient’s life, please donate today! Click here to DONATE.

300 SAK Donations to 5 Local Hospitals This Holiday Season!

While many of us were doing gift shopping and meal planning for the holidays, volunteers for the Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope were out making art kit deliveries.

Alyssa Starter Art Kits (SAKs) had recently been assembled at corporations such as Constellation Energy & Blue Cross & Blue Shield volunteer events. The Alyssa SAKs consisted of drawing kits, coloring book kits and journal kits will be given to young patients being treated for cancer.

The 300 SAKs were delivered to 5 Illinois locations consisting of Ronald McDonald House near Advocate Children's Hospital in Oak Lawn, Loyola University Hospital in Maywood, Rush Children's Hospital, Lurie Children's Hospital, and Shirley Ryan Ability Lab in Chicago.

These art kits were received by Anne, Catherine, Willow, Amy, Molly and some of their therapist team members at their respective workplaces.

We are grateful for all our volunteers and partners who bring hope to young cancer patients. AAFH carries on the spirit of giving joy through art and music in memory of our dear Alyssa.

If you would like to help, please consider making a donation by clicking DONATION.

We hope you had a Merry Christmas and a great start to the New Year 2024!

4th QUARTER GIFT DELIVERIES AT HOSPITAL CIVIL DE GUADALAJARA, JALISCO

In the 4th quarter of 2023, AAFH Board Member, Dra. Martha Juarez and Dra. Alma Delgadillo delivered gifts to seven young patients receiving treatment at Hospital Civil Fray Antonio Alcalde & Hospital Civil Menchaca. The gifts consisted of two keyboards, four art kits and one acoustic guitar.

These young patients at Hospital Civil are brought to our attention by Dra. Martha and Dra. Alma so we can fulfill their requests for a gift that will lift their spirits and give them a bit of joy while undergoing treatments for their life-threatening illnesses.

We thank Dra. Martha and Dra. Alma for their support in bringing these gifts to the young patients in Hospital Civil.

Please consider bringing joy & hope to a young patient by clicking here DONATE. Thank you for your donations!

Abraham 13 y/o - Art Kit Angel Daniel 17 y/o - Keyboard Brenda 18 y/o - Art Kit Hugo 11 y/o Art Kit

Angel Gerardo 12 y/o - Art Kit Kevin 11 y/o - Guitar Roberto 11 y/o - Keyboard

Constellation IT Sponsors Volunteer Event to Benefit Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope

A group of Constellation Energy employees at 2 locations assembled Alyssa Starter Art Kits (SAKs) for donations to local area hospitals and Ronald McDonald Houses. A total of 80 employees participated in putting together 150 Alyssa SAKs. This volunteer effort was sponsored by the Constellation Nuclear IT Group at the Baltimore Headquarters (BHQ) in Maryland & Cantera Office in Winfield, IL.

The completed art kits at BHQ were delivered to Johns Hopkins Children’s Center in Baltimore, MD. The Cantera Office art kits were delivered to 5 separate locations in the Chicagoland area: Ability Rehabilitation Center, Lurie Children’s Hospital, Loyola Medicine Children’s Hospital, Rush Children’s Hospital and Ronald McDonald House near Advocate Children’s Hospital. The Alyssa SAKs will be given to young patients being treated for cancer and other life-threatening illnesses.

Yolanda Alvin is a Senior Project Manager at Constellation’s IT Group and is a founder and President of the Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope (AAFH) organization for the past 9 years. Constellation employees previously supported AAFH volunteer events and have made generous donations through matching programs and payroll deductions. We are very appreciative of their continued support of AAFH.

A special “Thank You” goes out to Steve Irby-Director of IT, Albert DiBuonaventura-IT Manager and Aruna Kurella for planning and organizing this volunteer event.

We appreciate all the participants who assembled the Alyssa Starter Art Kits (SAKs) which will bring hope and joy to young patients at the facilities mentioned above.

Please help us make a positive impact on a young cancer patient’s life this holiday season by making a donation HERE.

La Festa Italiana Fundraiser at Villa Verone to support AAFH Art & Music Programs

A Festa Italiana fundraiser was held at Villa Verone Restaurant on Sunday, November 12, 2023. The event was a success! Thanks to all the guests, our business sponsors and our volunteers who helped plan this fundraiser! Our guests enjoyed a delicious Italian dinner sponsored by Pietro Verone-owner of Villa Verone. The attendees also purchased raffle tickets for gift baskets from local businesses and supporters of AAFH. Pietro surprised our guests with his singing performance.

We want to thank the following businesses for their generous donations: Gia Mia Restaurant, Kernels Popcorn, Fox Jewelers, Instrument Exchange, The Little Traveler, Syrup, Preservation, El Molcajete, Suburban Tire Auto Repair Center, Villa Verone, Fatima Figueiredo and Joao P. Goncalves.

Heartfelt thanks to all our guests who made this fundraiser a success. We also want to thank our board members - Mary Jane Johnson, Martha Juarez, Daniel Guerrero, Denise Perez-Cabrera, and Carmen Ziegler for their continued support of our mission on behalf of our daughter, Alyssa.

During this holiday season, please consider bringing joy & hope to a young patient by clicking here DONATE. Thank you for your donations!

We wish everyone a Happy New Year!

AAFH Attends BLUE CORPS COMMUNITY PARTNER – Employee Volunteering Event

Denise Perez-Cabrera, AAFH Board member arranged for Yoli, AAFH President, to attend an employee Volunteering Event in the Chicago office on November 19, 2023. There were several BCBSIL employees that participated in-person for this event: Anju Sharma , Shafan Christopher, Lupita Pivaral and Yvette Davis and Denise who was virtual from Texas. The BCBS volunteers completed 200 art kits.

AAFH earns Matching Dollars for each volunteer hour logged into Blue Corps by its employees and has been a community partner with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois since 2016!

Denise started the volunteer event by sharing information about Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope and the programs offered to young cancer patients. Denise talked about volunteer opportunities such as preparing Alyssa Starter Art Kits (SAKs), delivering the Alyssa SAKs to local hospitals and helping with fundraising activities.

We need people who want to make a positive difference in the life of a patient or their family and the time commitment is up to you.

Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope loves volunteers!

Please go to our website and check-out all the things we have done for the teens and young adults around the US, Mexico and other countries. During this holiday season, please consider bringing joy & hope to a young patient by clicking here DONATE. Thank you for your donations!

Orlando Receives Guitar at Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago

Alyssa’s cousin Daniel Guerrero delivered an Ibanez V70CE Dreadnought Acoustic-Electric guitar to 13-year- old Orlando Romero, Jr. on Wednesday, September 20, 2023. Daniel is one of the board members of the Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope (AAFH) and lives in Chicago where Orlando is being treated at Lurie Children’s Hospital.

Orlando was introduced to the guitar by his abuelo (grandfather) when he was quite young. He has been learning since then and plays traditional Mexican music in the style taught by his abuelo.

When Daniel entered Orlando’s room to present the gift from AAFH, he found the young man surrounded by his loving and supportive family. Orlando’s adoring little sister was seated on the bed at his feet and his mother, father and both abuelas (grandmothers) were all there attending to his needs.

Orlando immediately started finger picking snippets of songs that he had learned and was thrilled to receive the beautiful new guitar that he had requested. Not only did Orlando entertain his audience but he also won over their hearts by seeing him immerse himself in his musical expression.

Our work at AAFH and the contacts we have with youths facing life-threatening illnesses is a joyful reminder of our daughter Alyssa, her passion for music and art, and the hope that it brings to patients and their families.

If you want to bring a smile on a young patient’s face, please click DONATE to make a donation of any amount.

3rd Quarter Gift Deliveries at Hospital Civil de Guadalajara, Jalisco

In the 3rd quarter of 2023, AAFH Board Member, Dra. Martha Juarez and Dra. Alma Delgadillo delivered gifts to twenty young patients receiving treatment at Hospital Civil Fray Antonio Alcalde & Hospital Civil Menchaca. The gifts consisted of acoustic guitars, art supplies, music headphones and keyboards.

These young patients at Hospital Civil are brought to our attention by Dra. Martha and Dra. Alma so we can fulfill their requests for a gift that will lift their spirits and give them a bit of joy while undergoing treatments for their life-threatening illnesses.

We thank Dra. Martha and Dra. Alma for their support in bringing these gifts to the young patients in Hospital Civil.

Please consider bringing joy & hope to a young patient by clicking here DONATE. Thank you for your donations!

Adolfo 15 y/o - Keyboard Anyeline 15 y/o - Guitar Byron 12 y/o - Guitar Cesar 17 y/o - Headphones

Diego 15 y/o - Art Supplies Emilio 20 y/o - Keyboard Gretel 12 y/o - Art Supplies Hiromi 10 y/o - Art Supplies

Irwing 20 y/o - Keyboard Javier 13 y/o - Headphones Kenia 10 y/o Keyboard Kenneth 21 y/o - Keyboard

Luna 14 y/o - Guitar Pablo 15 y/o - Headphones Raul 16 y/o - Art Supplies Reynaldo 16 y/o - Art Supplies

Rosa 18 y/o - Headphones Stephany 16 y/o - Art Supplies Vanessa 17 y/o - Guitar Ximena 11 y/o - Guitar

Olivia Receives AAFH Gift & Art Kits Donated to RMH at Advocate Children’s Hospital

Lori Macey from Advocate Childlife and Alyssa’s volunteer presented Olivia accompanied by her Mom with her Apple magic keyboard and stylus pen on Monday, August 28, 2023. Olivia is 14-year-old and likes everything related to visual arts including working with clay, crafting and drawing. She was very excited to receive her high-tech art tools which will take her into new realms of creativity.

On the same day, Alyssa Starter Art Kits (SAKs) were delivered to the Ronald McDonald House (RMH) near Advocate Children’s Hospital in Oak Lawn, IL. The House Manager, Caitlin Nelson, received a variety of Alyssa SAKs.

The SAKs included colored pencil art kits, drawing kits, watercolor & acrylic paint kits. The Alyssa SAKs will be given to the children and young adult patients staying at the RMH. The art materials allow young people to be creative and express themselves in fun ways while undergoing treatment for their illnesses.

We are thankful that we can share Alyssa’s love for the arts with others.

If you want to put a smile on a young patient’s face, please click DONATE to make a donation of any amount.

La Festa Italiana

Join us for a fun and worthwhile La Festa Italiana event at Villa Verone Ristorante Italiano in Geneva, IL. On November 12, 2023, between 4pm-7pm, supporters and friends will gather in support of our mission to give hope and joy to young cancer patients through our gift giving of music and art!

Attendees will partake in a delicious Italian buffet dinner and in multiple raffles for art and gourmet gift baskets from our local Geneva businesses.

Hop on over to our website for tickets at $75 each, otherwise, $90 at the door, Click here for online tickets.

Alyssa SAKs Donated to Advocate Children’s Hospital

Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope (AAFH) delivered 35 Alyssa Starter Art Kits (SAKs) to Advocate Children’s Hospital in Oak Lawn, IL on Tuesday, August 1, 2023. The SAKs delivery consisted of various kits such as coloring books, drawing books, colored pencils, journals, color markers and watercolor art kits. The Alyssa SAKs were accepted by Lori Mackey, Art Therapist.

Lori has been a great partner with AAFH in finding young patients who are a match for our gift program. With the support of therapists like Lori, children and young adults can request specific art materials or a musical instrument up to a value of $250. We appreciate Lori’s ongoing enthusiasm and passion for her work with children.

We are grateful to all the therapists who work alongside the medical staff in the healing process for the young patients we serve. 

If you would like to bring a smile to a young patient fighting a life-threatening illness, please partner with us by clicking on DONATE today!

ART KITS DONATION TO JOHNS HOPKINS ALL CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL

A donation of 50 Alyssa Starter Art Kits (SAKs) was delivered to Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg, FL on Thursday, July 13, 2023.

The Johns Hopkins’ Alyssa SAK delivery was received by LaWanda, Administrative Coordinator. LaWanda told us the Alyssa SAKs continue to be a popular item to the teens & young adult patients at Johns Hopkins. It enables the young patients to relax and express their creativity for the time they are in-patient at the hospital.

At each delivery we continue meeting so many wonderful people from the professional staff at the hospitals and Ronald McDonald Houses, the volunteers and most importantly, the children and the family members we serve.

Donate today by clicking here DONATE.

Gift Deliveries to Hospital Civil de Guadalajara, Jalisco

In the 2nd quarter of 2023, AAFH Board Member, Dra. Martha Juarez and Dra. Alma Delgadillo delivered gifts to seven young patients receiving treatment at Hospital Civil Fray Antonio Alcalde & Hospital Civil Menchaca. The gifts consisted of acoustic guitars, art materials, music headphones and a keyboard.

These young patients at Hospital Civil are brought to our attention by Dra. Martha and Dra. Alma so we can fulfill their requests for a gift that will lift their spirits and give them a bit of joy while undergoing treatments for their life-threatening illnesses.

We thank Dra. Martha and Dra. Alma for their support in bringing these gifts to the young patients in Hospital Civil.

Please consider bringing joy & hope to a young patient by clicking here DONATE. Thank you for your donations!

1st Row: Angelica 14 y/o Art Kit - Edward 10 y/o Keyboard - José 15 y/o Art Kit - Kevin 15 y/o Guitar

2nd Row: Mario 11 y/o Guitar - Raúl 16 y/o Art Kit - Sofia 10 y/o Art Kit - René 16 y/o Art Kit

SAKs Delivery to RMH East

On Saturday, June 24, 2023, a donation of 45 Alyssa Starter Art Kits (SAKs) was delivered to the Ronald McDonald House East (RMH East) located near Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg, FL. During the past 8 years, AAFH has been delivering donations of various art kits to RMH East in St. Petersburg, FL.

The RMH East delivery was received by Isabella-the weekend RMH East House Manager. Isabella took delivery of drawing art kits, nature coloring books, acrylic art kits, watercolor art kits and colored pencils art kits.

It is our hope that these art kits, inspired by Alyssa’s spirit and love for art, will bring smiles and joy to the young patients staying at the RMH East house.

If you would like to bring a smile to a young patient fighting a life-threatening illness, please partner with us by clicking on DONATE today!

Art Delivery at Central DuPage Hospital & Ronald McDonald House

Alyssa Starter Art Kits (SAKs) were received by Dora Castro-Ahillen, Child Life Manager in the PEDS/PICU department at Northwestern Central DuPage Hospital, Winfield, IL on June 16, 2023.  The art materials included nature coloring books, drawing kits, journal kits, colored pencil kits and acrylic art kits.   Dora is another child life professional who exudes her enthusiasm for working with young patients and appreciates the SAKs that our foundation provides for their enjoyment. 

A second SAKs delivery was received by Westyn Garber, Volunteer Services Manager on the same day at the Ronald McDonald House (RMH) near Central DuPage Hospital .  The art materials included nature coloring books, drawing kits, journal kits, colored pencil kits and acrylic art kits.   Westyn was happy to receive our donation and knows that the SAKs not only provide creative expression for the young patients but are also impactful to the families of those patients. 

 We are very happy to provide these small gifts in memory of our precious daughter, Alyssa, and her passion for art, music and life. 

The young patients are happy to have the creative outlet with these art kits while facing serious health challenges.  It allows them to express themselves and let go of their concerns while making something beautiful that they and their families can cherish. 

If you want to put a smile on a young patient’s face, please click DONATE to make a donation of any amount.

Art Kit Delivery to Lurie Children's Hospital

Alyssa Starter Art Kits (SAKs) were delivered to Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago on June 14, 2023.  A total of 40 Alyssa SAKs were received by Willow Messier and included nature coloring books, drawing kits, journal kits, colored pencil kits and acrylic art kits.

Willow was joined by her assistant, Giuseppina, and the two of them have worked closely with AAFH for several years through their work as art therapists at Lurie Children’s.  On a daily basis, they see how impactful art can be in providing creative outlets for the young patients facing serious medical challenges.

We are happy to partner with Lurie Children’s in giving hope to young patients in Alyssa’s memory. You can help us make a positive impact in these young patients’ lives and in keeping the legacy of Alyssa’s love for the arts alive.  Click DONATE to make a donation of any amount.