sunflower_hdr.jpg
The Andréa Rizzo Foundation // November 2015
3
Foundation News


Watch this on CBS - The Insider!! Click Below to Watch!

T hank you to our dear friends at  Dancing With The Stars for continuing to dance with our patients at  Children's Hospital Los Angeles  and for our amazing dance therapist,  Dr. Lori Baudino  who runs the Dréa's Dream program there. Debbie Clark and Monica Rizzo  continue  to work their magic so that we can offer this special treat for children with cancer participating in Dréa's Dream!






So Much to Be Thankful For

During the upcoming holiday season, we will hold close to our hearts every volunteer, dancer, and donor who has made Dréa's Dream a reality!  We are THANKFUL for YOU. You have made it possible for hundreds of children each week to benefit both physically and emotionally from the many Dréa's Dream pediatric dance therapy sessions held in hospitals and schools nationwide. 
 
 
Dr. Suzi Tortora at MSKCC with patient



 
Dréa's Dream Team - November Spotlight on Katie Dugan

When the Andréa Rizzo Foundation was just a seed of an idea, there was one person who went over and above to create all the components needed to get the foundation off the ground and remained by my side (brainstorming day and night) to make Dréa's Dream a reality. Katie Dugan came up with the idea for our first "Cliff Walk for the Children" in Newport, RI - and we were underway. We needed a brochure to share our mission with potential donors - and Katie Dugan created it. We needed a logo for our brochures and all promotional materials and Katie found an artist who was happy to put it together using the dancer image that Andréa's colleague, Kathy Peabody, had painted on the school building outside her classroom. We wanted a keepsake for all to wear at our events and Katie Dugan helped to design the perfect button. 

When the internet took the world by storm and everyone had to connect electronically - I had no idea what a website, domain name, or email address was. Katie surprised me with our first "one page" website. 

When Dancing With the Stars granted us our first VIP tickets for a patient and family to attend the show, Katie Dugan contacted actress/artist, Jane Seymour, (a contestant that season) via Jane's art gallery and we received a water color painting of an "Open Heart" as a gift from Jane to auction so that the airfare for the family would be covered. Katie Dugan (along with Sarah Puerini Lema) found a venue (for free) and organized the auction at a restaurant in her hometown of Newport, RI. This began our long relationship with actress Jane Seymour - a dear supporter of the Andréa Rizzo Foundation. Katie's Uncle John Dugan donated "air miles" to fully cover that first trip to Dancing With the Stars. In fact, Katie's entire family was integral in helping the foundation to grow. Her late dad, Kevin Dugan, was the high bidder for that painting and he was happy to own it in honor of his late wife, Barbara Dugan ("The Newport Mom" to all of Andréa's college roommates). 

T he Dugans had also hosted our first picnic at their home after our very first "Cliff Walk for the Children" - and along with Andréa's friends, they presented us with a beautiful bench in Andréa's memory. Katie's Aunt Maureen West continues to serve on our Board. Her cousin Paul West continues to support the Andréa Rizzo Foundation through his own website, "Newport-Discovery-Guide.com." Katie served on our Board for several years and continues (along with her aunts Sheila Enos and Maureen West) planning for our "Cliff Walk Birthday Celebration" each and every year. The Andréa Rizzo Foundation is so grateful to Katie Dugan for all she has done over the last 13 years to make Dréa's Dream a reality. 

Thank you, Katie!


WAYS TO GIVE THIS HOLIDAY SEASON. 


OPTION #1:
#GIVINGTUESDAY occurs this year on December 1!  It's the first Tuesday after Thanksgiving used to bring awareness to non-profits nationwide during the holiday shopping season so that consumers remember the meaning of the giving season.  Make the Andréa Rizzo Foundation your #givingtuesday.


OPTION #2:
You can give a meaningful gift to the special people in your life by making a donation to The Andréa Rizzo Foundation and naming them a " Star" in your life.  They will receive a beautiful certificate and letter from the foundation letting them know how much they mean to you and that their gift will help children with cancer and special needs through the power of dance in hospitals and schools nationwide! 

-OR-

Give an Andréa Rizzo Foundation "Angel" certificate which can be sent in memory of a loved one.

Click here t o access the form to make this request.  All donations are tax deductible and no donation is too small.


OPTION #3:
 
HOLIDAY LOTTO 2015 begins December 1!  Gift boxes will be announced throughout the month for this on-line fundraiser.  Each person's name who donates $50, $75, or $125 will be placed in our "HOLIDAY BOXES" for a chance to receive a holiday gift.  Lottery drawing occurs on January 1, 2016.  All proceeds raised from this event will benefit Dréa's Dream, the pediatric dance therapy program funded by the Andréa Rizzo Foundation in hospitals and school settings nationwide.  Stay tuned for more information to come.


OPTION #4
Use AmazonSmile to buy those Holiday Gifts! We benefit too!
You can raise funds for the Andréa Rizzo Foundation while online shopping at smile.amazon. Simply sign into your Amazon account at smile.amazon.com and click "Your Account" in the top right side of the toolbar, then click "Change Your Charity" in the scroll-down column. When prompted to select a charity, type The Andréa Rizzo Foundation and do all of your shopping for a good cause! (you only need to type in your choice of charity the first time you set this up). Amazon donates 0.5% of the price of your eligible AmazonSmile purchases to the charitable organization of your choice.

OPTION #5:
Hold a Dance Across America® holiday event donating a portion or all of the proceeds towards the foundation's dance therapy programming.

  
OPTION #6:
Tix4Cause
These are two concerts you don't want to miss!  Choose The Andréa Rizzo Foundation at checkout when you purchase tickets through Tix4Cause.com and you'll benefit Dréa's Dream programming.  Click below to find a concert near you.

   
Dance Therapist Corner
 
Suzi Tortora, Ed. D., BC-DMT, LCAT reflects on her 13 years at MSKCC, our pioneer Dréa's Dream program.  We have always felt lucky to have her wonderful work at this special hospital that we hold very close and dear to our hearts since this was where Andréa was treated as a child for neuroblastoma.  Take the time to read this sentiment below.

am especially happy to be reflecting on my experience during this special month that culminates with offering thanks and sets the tone for the next month, which is about giving.  I am grateful to The Andréa Rizzo Foundation for the opportunity to share the healing power of dance with many children and families we each work with. I am also deeply grateful for the personally moving experiences I have as a dance therapist working in the MSKCC pediatric program in collaboration with Integrative Medicine Services and the Child Life Department.  

As I reflect on my experiences at MSKCC I am drawn to the undeniable universality of kindness and love that radiates throughout the pediatric program. This warmth transcends all potential barriers set by language, culture, and economics. It is no wonder Dréa's Dream Dance Therapy program is thriving at MSKCC.  We are there to emotionally support children and their families as they navigate illness. Such a goal fosters collaboration across on all levels at MSKCC, and at MSKCC teamwork is thriving. Both families and the medical team have embraced Jenn Whitley and myself. It is an honor to feel so respected, for dance/movement therapy often seems to be the least known and least understood of the creative arts therapies.
Within the first months of starting at MSKCC I remember writing to Susan Rizzo Vincent about the sense of awe I often experienced, moved by the depth and breadth of emotional themes the children and families were able to expression through our dancing.  Now, almost thirteen years later this awe continues, as I have witnessed countless times children and their families transform their current state by dancing out their feelings with us.

In this season of thanks and giving, I am so grateful for this opportunity. Thank you Susan Rizzo Vincent, MSKCC and all of you that support The Andréa's Dream Foundation. 

Suzi Tortora, Ed. D., BC-DMT, LCAT at MSKCC.

Please send us your US Mailing address if you haven't received our annual newsletter in the past

Like us on Facebook
 
Follow us on Twitter
 
View our videos on YouTube 
    
The Andrea Rizzo Foundation
10 East Beach Road
Charlestown, RI 02813
 
Create your own
Dance Across America e vent!

 

Join dancers across the country today and start planning your dance-a-thon, performance or any dance event of your choice - big or small - to raise money for Dréa's Dream programming nationwide. Email: DreasDream@aol.com. We'll help you plan.

 

Dance Across America participants receive a plaque for their dance school as well as individual tokens of appreciation for each dancer.  Your school will be featured on our website, social media sites, and our monthly newsletter.

 

Already have an event scheduled?  Don't forget to tag us in your pictures and videos on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or YouTube using #dreasdream or #danceacrossamerica.  We look forward to seeing your events on-line!

 

TAKE ACTION


Dance Across America News
 
The holidays are coming up and this is always an exciting and busy time of year for Dance Across America events.  Be sure to mark your calendar to stay tuned for a holiday fundraising event in your area.  
   
October Events

On October 15  in Kingston, NY, the 4 Seasons Dinner Club enjoyed a ladies night out and supported The Andréa Rizzo Foundation at the same time.  Gabby Shultis, our press correspondent, led the efforts for making this event happen.
 
Coming up in November!

Nov. 27 - Santee, CA - Expressions Dance and Movement Center has planned a Black Friday Dance Camp from 6am - 1pm so you can shop while your children are enjoying crafts, snacks, and games.   A portion of the proceeds from sign up will go towards the foundation!  Details can be found here.

Nov. 29 - Levittown, NY - Impressions Dance Studio will hold "Dancing for a Cause" from 11 - 3pm.  Contact: Laura Di Bernardo .  This event will have a fair with vendors and a bake sale with entertainment by students of the studio.  

#danceacrossamerica
Sponsor Spotlight
 
We thank the Rhee Gold Company for continuing to support our efforts and spreading the word of Dréa's Dream in their Dance Studio Life magazine and through DSL Dance Wire news on-line.

  
  
A portion of the proceeds from each Positive Dance Mom t-shirt goes to The Andréa Rizzo Foundation.  Click below to purchase.

  

*************************************************

The Moret Group has provided prizes for our Dance Across America pledge-raising competition each year. We are so grateful to John Debease at The Moret Group for arranging the donation of fabulous activewear for our top pledge raisers. This year's top pledge raisers will be announced in our upcoming annual newsletter that will be mailed out at the beginning of July to all of our supporters

 
*************************************************
Talent on Parade, a Haysville, KS based competition circuit, has GRACIOUSLY offered their sponsorship once again with $8,000 for 2015.  We are lucky to have their support.