Reaching Out and Giving Back

Nine-year old Alyssa attended Fox Creek Elementary until March 8th, 2007, when her life was tragically taken, brought on by complications from the treatment of her disease (Acute Lymphoma Leukemia). Alyssa had loved to read, which brought on the idea for the Alyssa Cares Foundation, a charity created by her family and other parents and teachers at Fox Creek Elementary. Alyssa's brother came up with an idea to start a charity that he knew would make his sister proud. He decided to start collecting and raising money for books to give to cancer patients and less fortunate kids!
 
Every year Fox Creek has a week where you bring in money to your classroom and place it in a jar to go to the Alyssa Cares Foundation. Having participated in this excellent cause, I have seen first hand just how powerful this charity is. Every year they raise more money than the previous one and buy more books for kids. Every year, on March 8th several students will leave books on Alyssa's bench, which her brother will collect for the foundation. Even kids who did not know Alyssa still have a part of her with them when they pick up a book donated by the Alyssa Cares Foundation.
 
To read more go to www.alyssacares.org.