This February, Burlington City Arts presented the second annual Valentine’s Event and Raffle to benefit Art From the Heart, our program with Vermont Children’s Hospital. Art From the Heart helps patients on the pediatric ward heal and grow through the arts by providing them with the space, time, and materials to experience the joys of painting and creative work. 

 

Thank you to everyone who purchased a raffle ticket and donated raffle prizes 

 

WINNERS:

 

#8 Cooking and Concert- Melissa Stiebert

#7 Art Forms- Jennifer Forguites

#6 Sight Taste and Sound- Kate Longmaid

#5 Just for Her...Larry Abrams

#4 Four Tickets to Boston Bruins- Bill Flack

#3 Four Tickets to Boston Celtics- Betsy Ferries

#2 Skybox to NY Rangers- Koi Boynton

#1 Skybox to NY Knicks- Joan Sylvester

 

 

The only program of its kind in Vermont and a model used by pediatric wards in other states, Art From The Heart now operates seven days a week and serves 1000 children annually. Many of these children are seriously ill, some terminally. Some are away from their home and school environments for weeklong medical treatments each month. The children, their families, and the hospital staff value the program, which helps relieve stress, not only for the children involved, but also for parents and siblings who often participate in the arts activities.

 

Volunteers work with young patients either in the playroom or at their bedsides. When the Art Cart comes rolling in, children gain an outlet for creative expression and a chance for imaginative escape from their current travails. One young patient said: “They would bring in all this paint, and I would get going, and I would feel my normal self, and then when I stopped I felt sick again. It made me feel better.” Here’s what others are saying:

“Art From the Heart helps create a sense of family-centered care at Vermont Children’s Hospital.”   - Dr. Lewis First, Chief of Pediatrics

 

“[Youth participating in Art From The Heart] put into art what they might not vocalize. We can learn a lot from it. These are children, and it’s valuable for them to do the type of things kids do.”       

- Kathy O’Riley, Child Life Specialist

 

“This program makes a difference for the kids. It brightens their day.”     - Art From the Heart Volunteer

 

To learn more about Art From the Heart program and opportunities to volunteer, Click Here.