Arts For Life Charlotte
Anna Littman, Executive Director
By: John Galles
    
                          
You could tell by the smile on Tim Newman's face that he had a treat in store for Rotarians as he was introducing Anna Littman to speak about Arts For Life. The standing ovation at the end of Anna's presentation demonstrated that we were not disappointed and that we were incredibly impressed with her performance and the program that she described.
 
Arts For Life (AFL) began as a small project in 2001 when AFL Executive Director, Anna Littman, gave cameras, film, and journals to young cancer patients. Littman became a part of the community of patients at Brenner Children's Hospital when her 11-year-old sister, Katie, was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a type of bone cancer. Littman spent many months in the hospital with Katie. She witnessed the struggles and triumphs of young patients, and observed that many of the children's emotional, social, and cognitive needs were not being met.
 
While helping to care for her younger sister, Littman also began teaching art. First she was teaching just Katie. Then she started teaching Katie's neighbors in the hospital, then six other kids on the unit got involved, then twelve, then twenty. Patients and parents responded positively to the art lessons and asked for more. Photography and visual arts quickly proved to be ways to help patients successfully cope with their medical treatments and hospital stays.
 
Several start-up grants and a donation of cameras, film, and film processing from Kodak allowed Littman to keep teaching. Overwhelming requests from patients, parents, and caregivers led Arts For Life's growth. Donations from many individuals and contributions from businesses, such as the Loretta Ho Sherblom Insurancy Agency, enabled Anna to form Arts For Life and to keep the program going.
 
Now, nearly seven years later, Arts For Life runs chapters at Presbyterian Hospital in Charlotte, Mission Hospital in Asheville, Duke Children's Hospital and Health Center in Durham, and at Brenner Children's Hospital in Winston-Salem. The organization has seven full time teachers and staff members, six Artist Fellows, fourteen member board of directors and advisory members, and over forty volunteers.
 
Arts For Life has created pediatric clinic art programs, patient and family art support groups, and inpatient art programs. Their staff, interns, and volunteers teach the arts to patients for over 250 hours each week. Through their programs, they work to give young patients the tools and experiences they need to be strong members of their communities in spite of the medical struggles and hurdles they face.
 
Arts For Life builds bridges and makes lasting connections between the art and healthcare communities of North Carolina. Their staff members are artists and teachers who believe the arts are key to creating and maintaining vibrant and healthy communities. Their programs teach visual arts, music, and creative writing to patients and run five to seven days a week, eight to fourteen hours a day in each of their four different hospital sites. Arts For Life staff, interns, and volunteers teach the arts to patients for over 300 hours each week.
 
Their teachers work with more than 4,500 patients annually, and they see many of those children on a weekly basis. They teach the arts to children and teens who have serious and chronic illnesses, and they teach children who need ongoing therapies and treatments. Demand and need drive their growth.
 
Arts For Life has impacted pediatric and patient care across the state of North Carolina, demonstrating the importance of support services for patients and their families. Their programs strive to help young patients become strong members of their communities in spite of the struggles and hurdles they face.
 
Arts For Life's internship and volunteer programs train college students, artists, medical students, and community members in teaching the arts to patients. Through these programs, they have led over 250 individuals in utilizing the arts to improve their communities. Rotary members were encouraged to contribute to this outstanding program. Donations can be made at www.aflnc.org.
  
 
Head Table: Elsie Garner, John zumBrunnen, John Snyder, Tim Newman, John Nicolay, Emmy Lou Burchette;
Invocation: Herb Harriss;
Visitors & Guests: Don Carmichael; Health & Happiness: Chase Saunders; Song: Biff Virkler; Piano: Thomas Moore; Photos: Bert Voswinkel

• Haitian relief checks payable to The Rotary Foundation DAF and mailed to the Rotary office.
   
• John Johnson and Sylvia Van Hoy have been released from the hospital. Other club members heading for surgery within the next few days: Richard Bailey and Floyd Davis. Keep these folks in your thoughts and prayers.
  
• Named to Business North Carolina's 2010 Legal Elite: Bryan Adams (Employment Law), Jerry Walters (Employment Law), David Erdman (Family Law); 2010 Hall of Fame: Phil Van Hoy (2002).
 
• Tony Marciano will publish a by-weekly article, "Real Help for Real Living," in South Charlotte Weekly beginning February 12; Bob Elliott is the contact person for anyone wanting to buy tickets to Dilworth Rotary's Beach Party to be held February 26, 7pm, at Byron's South End. $50 per person covers food, open bar, dancing, Casino; Betty and Erskine Harkey are leaving on a five week vacation to South Africa and Egypt - returning home by way of Australia.
 
• On a personal note: Thanks to each of you for the beautiful coat, hugs, kind words and cash! As I begin my eighth year with this group, I am still absolutely amazed by your generosity and kindness. My sincere thanks to all of you.
--Sandy Osborne
 
• CNP Technologies (Wes Clark) invites you to their technology solutions showcase on February 25, 9:30-5:00, Renaissance Charlotte Suites Hotel. Info and registration can be found at http://optimize2010.eventbrite.com.
 
• Tony Zeiss published a commentary expressing his support of Governor Perdue's vision to have NC become the "international beacon for education."
  
• ROTARY DISTRICT CONFERENCE 2010 will be held in Wilmington April 23-25. All Rotarians and their families are invited to attend. Reservations can be booked at the Hilton Riverside, 910-763-5900. Prior to March 22, the rate will be $169 per night. Conference registration rates for Rotarians: $175 (by 2/23), $195 (by 3/22) or $225 (by 4/16). Guest registration: $155 (by 2/23), $175 (by 3/22), $195 (by 4/16). The registration covers 4 meals: Friday dinner, Saturday breakfast & dinner, and Sunday breakfast. Registration can be handled on the District database (www.dacdb.com) 

Should you question the eligibility of any nominee, contact the Rotary office by 2/10/2010.

Membership recruitment is everyone's responsibility. President John encourages you to think of friends and associates that may be interested in serving the principles of Rotary. The next step is to invite them to a meeting, explain the ropes and ask them to join. Membership nomination forms are available by calling the Rotary Office.