Art With a Heart in Healthcare
Media Release
April 16, 2020
Art with a Heart in Healthcare, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing the healing process of patients and their families, is offering free virtual, interactive art sessions, coloring pages, along with music and storytelling. The “Let’s Make Art” program supports the need for creative activities while young patients are sheltering-in-place at home or in the hospital during the COVID 19 pandemic, and other times when they need to stay indoors. The program is also available to the community free of charge. Visit the website at https://www.artwithaheart.info/letsmakeart.
In compliance with healthcare system precautions, Art with a Heart in Healthcare will not be in any healthcare settings amid the pandemic. During this time, the organization and its team of artists cannot physically be with patients at local hospitals. The online art program and art-to-go care bag projects are in place providing fine art experiences while enhancing the healing process for homebound children, and patients and families in the hospital.
According to Christy Ponder, Art with a Heart in Healthcare’s Executive Director, young patients in northeast Florida hospitals can also receive art to-go care bags filled with art supplies. The nonprofit supports the fundraising effort with the personalized, interactive step-by-step art tutorial videos and Let’s Make Art custom-made, printable coloring sheets available on the website.
“We ask the community to please consider the well-being of hundreds of young patients who are isolated in hospitals at this time. With stringent visitor and volunteer restrictions, many are not able to see loved ones or receive any usual volunteer services,” said Ponder.
Donations are requested for the Art with a Heart in Healthcare Catie Cares art-to-go bags. Cost per bag is $25 with volunteers delivering the items to hospital entrance areas and then bags are transported to each patient. The bags include a backpack filled with fine art materials that can be used in conjunction with the videos.
To donate and provide fine art supplies for the bags during this time of increased demand, visit the website at https://www.artwithaheart.info/donate. Catie Cares has been funded by a local family whose daughter suffered from cancer, but enjoyed her art sessions with Art with a Heart in Healthcare.
Art with a Heart in Healthcare programs and services funds a talented team of staff artists, community volunteers and interns from the University of North Florida and University of Florida to develop sessions individualized to meet the needs of patients and families at bedside or in groups. Together they create art that helps to reclaim the child from the illness. Patients are from Palm Coast to St. Augustine to Jacksonville and Fernandina Beach, and beyond. The nonprofit’s team of artists and volunteers have served tens of thousands of patients and their families in northeast Florida at Wolfson Children’s Hospital, Nemours Children’s Specialty Clinic, St. Vincent’s Medical Center, and Mayo Clinic. Visit the website at https://www.artwithaheart.info. Visit the Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/artwithaheartinhealthcare
ABOUT ART WITH A HEART IN HEALTHCARE:
Founded in 2001, Art with a Heart in Healthcare is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing the healing process of sick children. Six days a week a talented team of staff artists, community volunteers and interns from the University of North Florida and University of Florida to develop sessions individualized to meet the needs of patients and families at bedside or in groups. Together they create art that helps to reclaim the child from the illness. Visit the website at https://www.artwithaheart.info.