May Charity Wrap-Up: Art of Elysium

Well, the month of May wrapped up quite nicely with a wonderful performance by Alicia Witt at SPACE in Evanston on May 29th. Together we’ve raised $428 for Art of Elysium! That’s 17 Art Kits for hospitalized children fighting serious illness.

I would like to thank all the awesome guest bloggers this month including Kris Black, Janet Varney, and Alicia Witt for sharing their experiences and support for Art of Elysium! You rock!

A very special thank you to my donation matching partners Ticketweb and Evanston Space! You also rock, thank you for helping Art of Elysium!

The goal for this month was $500, currently $428 has been raised, if you would like to help us hit the goal, please visit: http://crowdrise.com/lp-may to make a contribution.

Thank you for all your support! Check out the June Featured Charity announcement tomorrow!

Art Kit Monday: The Art of Elysium

Today is another ART KIT MONDAY! By donating $25, you will provide a hospitalized child with an art kit, an opportunity for creative expression and a smile.

Please show your support if you can: ($25 = 1 art kit) I would love if all of us on the Living Philanthropic team could raise enough for 100 art kits at http://crowdrise.com/lp-may

Check out the blog tomorrow for a MAY CHARITY WRAP UP including an update on the Alicia Witt show at SPACE!

Want to be a guest blogger on Living Philanthropic?

Join the team and donate to Art of Elysium at http://crowdrise.com/lp-may  & submit your blog post about why you made a contribution here: http://bit.ly/lp-blogger

Guest Blogger: Alicia Witt

I am so extremely proud to be teaming with Living Philanthropic to help raise money and awareness for one of my favorite charities, The Art of Elysium.

The Art of Elysium brings art and artists from all fields… music, performing arts, painting, writing, photography, directing, etc etc…together with critically ill children who are hospitalized as a form of distractive therapy. So many of these kids are spending all of their time alone while their parents do their best to support the family and keep them in treatment, and so much of their young lives are filled with talk of medical care and disease that it’s often hard for them to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

It’s amazing to see the joy that art and creativity can spark in them… children smiling and laughing who have been uncommunicative and depressed…and perhaps equally amazing as an artist to be reminded that this thing we are lucky enough to do for a living has such healing, resuscitative power, and why it is we wanted to share that part of ourselves in the first place.

The founder, Jennifer Howell, is one of my dearest friends, and in the eight years I’ve known her it’s been a joy and an inspiration to see the charity grow from a tiny, passionate dream of hers, operating out of a handful of LA area hospitals, to the far-reaching, ever expanding force it is today. Jen lost a dear friend of hers to leukemia when she was still in college, and it changed her life and inspired her to create The Art of Elysium.

As a musician, it’s been my privilege to give music lessons to a young girl who was preparing to undergo isolation treatment for radiation, who asked to have a keyboard with her as she spent this time alone; to perform in the waiting room for kids and their families; and just to do my part to spread the word about the incredible work that they do.

Now in its 14th year, Jen’s dream of expanding nationwide is coming ever closer to reality; in addition to all major children’s hospitals in LA, they now operate out of NYC, and steps are underway to launch branches in Nashville and New Orleans. and I was thrilled when Carlo from Living Philanthropic approached me about partnering with him for my May 29 show at Evanston SPACE (my first in Chicago) because he was the one that suggested we benefit AofE… even before he knew of my personal passion for the organization.

-Guest blog post by Alicia Witt

Thanks, Alicia! I think you are are amazing and inspiring!

If you are in the Chicago area, be sure to check out Alicia’s performance at Space on May 29th!

Want to be a guest blogger on Living Philanthropic?

Join the team and donate to Art of Elysium at http://crowdrise.com/lp-may  & submit your blog post about why you made a contribution here: http://bit.ly/lp-blogger

Alicia Witt, SPACE, Ticketweb and Living Philanthropic team up to help support Art of Elysium. On May 29th, 2011 the uber-talented Alicia Witt will be performing at SPACE in Evanston, IL. To help raise awareness for Art of Elysium, Living Philanthropic will donate $1 for every ticket sold for Alicia Witt’s performance to Art of Elysium. Plus, Living Philanthropic’s total donation will be matched by Ticketweb! Tickets available here!

James Franco on Art of Elysium

It’s Monday! Let’s make it a another ART KIT MONDAY for Art of Elysium. Last Monday, we raised enough for 4 art kits! Let’s keep going!

James Franco and Living Philanthropic have a lot in common, we are both crowdrisers and we both support Art of Elysium for starters! 

Here’s what James has to say about Art of Elysium:

“The Art of Elysium is an incredible organization dedicated to helping critically ill children through the powerful exchange of humanity and hope when artists go visit kids in hospitals and they spend the day together. 

I’ve gone and done workshops with the kids (they have acting, art, comedy, fashion, music, radio, songwriting and creative writing workshops) and each time it’s a mind-blowing experience (I’m pretty sure I get a helluva lot more from the experience than they ever do). I am also extremely honored to be the 2011 “Spirit of Elysium” award recipient.

These kids are so full of life and, no matter how much sickness might slow them down, they’re still always kids who just want to have some fun! Being able to help put a smile on their faces, even just for an afternoon, is for sure the greatest feeling ever. 

When we go into hospitals, we sometimes bring in Art Kits so the kids can play with paintbrushes and paint, crayons, sketchpads, etc. Just things that help brighten their day. Now we want EVERY TERMINALLY ILL CHILD in EVERY HOSPITAL WE VISIT to get an Art of Elysium Art Kit as we leave, so they have something to keep them smiling - even after we’ve gone and they’re back to dealing with really grown-up stuff. They deserve it - and it’s so simple to do.”

Living Philanthropic is set on helping out and hope you can join in as well. By donating $25, you will provide a hospitalized child with an art kit, an opportunity for creative expression and a smile.

Please show your support if you can: ($25 = 1 art kit) I would love if all of us on the Living Philanthropic team could raise enough for 100 art kits at http://crowdrise.com/lp-may

Guest Blogger: Janet Varney

I’ve had the amazing privilege of working with The Art of Elysium for several years now, and some of my favorite experiences have been with the Self-Esteem Workshops in particular. These programs create warm, supportive environments for kids from all walks of life who face unique challenges ranging from diabetes to kidney failure to disfigurements, and the counselors and volunteers help provide these terrific kids with a variety of inspired ways to cope with their challenges, learn how to communicate with others and stand up for themselves, and generally just to recognize and celebrate how incredible each one of these young people truly is.

But from a selfish perspective, one of the reasons I just keep coming back for more of these experiences myself is that these programs and these extraordinary children inspire, motivate, and enrich my own life in ways I would never find anywhere else. I’m so proud to be involved with The Art of Elysium, and I’m so grateful to the fantastic families for letting me be some small part of their lives. 

Guest Blog Post by Janet Varney

Janet Varney is an actress, writer, the co-founder/producer of San Francisco Sketch Comedy Festival, host of Dinner and a Movie, and all around awesome person!

Thanks, Janet! You are Amazing!

Want to be a guest blogger on Living Philanthropic?

Join the team and donate to Art of Elysium at http://crowdrise.com/lp-may  & submit your blog post about why you made a contribution here: http://bit.ly/lp-blogger

Alicia Witt, SPACE, Ticketweb and Living Philanthropic team up to help support Art of Elysium. On May 29th, 2011 the uber-talented Alicia Witt will be performing at SPACE in Evanston, IL. To help raise awareness for Art of Elysium, Living Philanthropic will donate $1 for every ticket sold for Alicia Witt’s performance to Art of Elysium. Plus, Living Philanthropic’s total donation will be matched by Ticketweb! Tickets available here

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It’s Art Kit Monday!

It’s Monday! Let’s make it an ART KIT MONDAY for Art of Elysium. I remember as a kid loving to draw and paint. I would spend hours creating worlds on paper and other funny characters. I remember feeling so much happiness disappearing into the worlds of my drawings. This is one of the joys, Art of Elysium shares with children in hospitals giving them the chance to drift away from the pangs of treatment and recovery and have some fun!

You can help deliver the gift of creativity directly to a critically ill child’s bedside. By donating $25, you will provide a hospitalized child with an art kit, an opportunity  for imagination and a never ending smile.

Please show your support if you can: ($25 = 1 art kit) I would love if all of us on the Living Philanthropic team could raise enough for 100 art kits at http://crowdrise.com/lp-may

Want to be a guest blogger on Living Philanthropic? Join the team and donate to Art of Elysium at http://crowdrise.com/lp-may  & submit your blog post about why you made a contribution here: http://bit.ly/lp-blogger

Alicia Witt, SPACE, Ticketweb and Living Philanthropic team up to help support Art of Elysium. On May 29th, 2011 the uber-talented Alicia Witt will be performing at SPACE in Evanston, IL. To help raise awareness for Art of Elysium, Living Philanthropic will donate $1 for every ticket sold for Alicia Witt’s performance to Art of Elysium. Plus, Living Philanthropic’s total donation will be matched by Ticketweb! Tickets available here.

Guest Blogger: Kris Black

I’ve been involved with The Art of Elysium for around nine months and my only disappointment is that it took me so long to find them. From the moment I heard what their cause was, I was hooked.

I chose to volunteer with their arts program being that I’m a painter. From my very first visit I was so touched by the reactions of kids. It sounds cliche but seeing just one of the kids smiling, laughing, and having fun makes my day every time.

It has also helped me as an artist, the kids inspire me to be more playful and fun in my own work. I feel very fortunate and blessed to be able to share my passion for art and get to help kids be kids. Thank you Art of Eylsium.

-Kris Black

Thank you Kris for being an inspiring volunteer!

Want to be a guest blogger on Living Philanthropic? Join the team and donate to Art of Elysium at http://crowdrise.com/lp-may  & submit your blog post about why you donated here: http://bit.ly/lp-blogger

Alicia Witt, SPACE, Ticketweb and Living Philanthropic team up to help support Art of Elysium. On May 29th, 2011 the uber-talented Alicia Witt will be performing at SPACE in Evanston, IL. To help raise awareness for Art of Elysium, Living Philanthropic will donate $1 for every ticket sold for Alicia Witt’s performance to Art of Elysium. Plus, Living Philanthropic’s total donation will be matched by Ticketweb! Tickets available here.

Living Philanthropic’s featured charity for May is Art of Elysium, please help them put some smiles on little faces.

Want to be a guest blogger on Living Philanthropic? Join the team and donate to Art of Elysium at http://crowdrise.com/lp-may  & submit your blog post about why you donated here: http://bit.ly/lp-blogger

May Featured Charity: Art of Elysium

Alicia Witt, SPACE, Ticketweb and Living Philanthropic team up to help support Art of Elysium. On May 29th, 2011 the uber-talented Alicia Witt will be performing at SPACE in Evanston, IL. To help raise awareness for Art of Elysium, Living Philanthropic will donate $1 for every ticket sold for Alicia Witt’s performance to Art of Elysium. Plus, Living Philanthropic’s total donation will be matched by Ticketweb!! If you would like to participate and join the Living Philanthropic team or make a donation, please visit: http://www.crowdrise.com/lp-may

The Art of Elysium is dedicated to enriching the lives of artists and critically ill children. They believe that there is a powerful and mutual exchange of hope and appreciation that occurs when artists share their time and talent with children battling serious medical conditions. They provide artistic workshops in the following disciplines: acting, art, comedy, fashion, music, radio, songwriting and creative writing. For more information, please visit:  http://www.theartofelysium.org

You might know Alicia Witt from her body of work as an actor on shows including Friday Night Lights, Law and Order and Cybill, and from the films 88 Minutes, Two Weeks Notice, Last Holiday and Mr Hollands Opus to name a few. But she is also a classically trained pianist and accomplished singer/songwriter. for the last 3 years, she’s been performing her original songs at venues across the country such as Hotel Cafe and Universal Citywalk in Los Angeles, and Joe’s Cafe and The Living Room in New York.

Living Philanthropic was founded in April 2010 as one man’s mission to give to charity everyday for a year. This mission is built on a belief that you don’t have to be rich in dollars to make a difference; you only need to be rich in spirit. After completing his 365 day mission, the spirit of giving everyday carries on through his friends and in his mission to continue his micro-philanthropy for a second year. For more information, please visit: www.livingphilanthropic.com

SPACE, located at 1245 Chicago Avenue in Evanston, IL was created by musicians for musicians. The venue was designed to offer superior comfort, elegant aesthetics, and sophisticated audio and lighting technology, all in service of great creative expression. The sound is fantastic, the sight lines are perfect, and no seat is more than 40 feet from the stage.

TicketWeb is the #1 specialty ticketing company for indie clubs & venues around N. America. www.ticketweb.com

To purchase tickets for this special event, please visit: http://www.ticketweb.com/t3/sale/SaleEventDetail?dispatch=loadSelectionData&eventId=3594915&pl=space

Want to be a guest blogger on Living Philanthropic? Join the team and donate to Art of Elysium at http://crowdrise.com/lp-may  & submit your blog post about why you donated here: http://bit.ly/lp-blogger

*Stay tuned for some exciting blog posts from some very cool people!