Art Show Celebrates Creative Achievements of Children with Special Needs

WASHINGTON - April 20, 2015 - PRLog -- On April 23, 2015, Touchstone Galleries in Washington, DC, will host Wonderfully Made: An Art Show to Benefit Jill’s House. Founded in 2010, Jill's House celebrates children with special needs and provides respite, renewal, and peace of mind to their families through overnight programs and day camps.  Following the success of their first art show in 2012, this exhibit will once again feature original artwork created by the children who benefit from the unique services of Jill’s House. All artwork will be for sale and 100% of funds raised will benefit Jill’s House.

The Wonderfully Made exhibit is a part of the EmpowerArt Program created by Bear Givers, a New York-based organization that provides children in need with opportunities to feel the pride and joy of engaging in acts of kindness and generosity. The EmpowerArt Program enables children with special needs to express their creativity in art shows that benefit their schools, hospitals, and programs.

The Wonderfully Made show is sponsored by the Richard & Mary Fink Family Foundation and Koch Industries, Inc.  “The art show three years ago had such a positive impact on the children and their families and we are very proud to host this empowering event on behalf of Jill’s House. We are extremely grateful to Richard and Mary Fink and family and Koch Industries, Inc., for continuing to support Jill’s House and for making this event possible,” says Joseph Sprung, founder of Bear Givers.

Wonderfully Made will celebrate the children and their artwork. “The children will be the stars of the evening,” explains Diane Lempert, president of Bear Givers. ““It is important that the families witness their children’s self–esteem increase immensely as they see their art displayed and sold. The families are able to delight in their success, and to show the world that their children are creative individuals who have so much to offer.”

The show is a special opportunity for Jill’s House. "For many of our children, having their artwork showcased like this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and means so much to them and their families.  Many people in society do not stop to find beauty in the children we serve, or in the work of their hands.  We applaud the generosity of spirit and kindness of heart Bear Givers, the Fink Family and Koch Industries have shown in going out of their way to find and highlight this beauty.  We are delighted to share the spirit, creativity, and joy expressed through the artwork of the special children we serve at Jill's House," says Denise Daffron, vice president of advancement at Jill's House.

Wonderfully Made is also an occasion for the Washington, DC community to support Jill’s House as government leaders, professional artists, and celebrities were invited to create and donate a work of art to be displayed and sold for the benefit of Jill’s House.

“We are excited to partner with Jill’s House and Bear Givers for the Wonderfully Made exhibit,” says Richard Fink, the event sponsor. “The hard work and compassion work of the Jill’s House team is making a real difference in the lives of children with special needs and their families, who can often feel a great sense of isolation. It’s a truly worthy effort. Wonderfully Made showcases the children’s art and generates funds for their care. One only has to see the look on their faces of the children when their art is valued by others to be inspired to make a bid.”

What:    Wonderfully Made, An Art Show to Benefit Jill’s House

Sponsored by Richard & Mary Fink Family Foundation and Koch Industries, Inc.

100% of the proceeds will benefit Jill’s House.

When:   Thursday, April 23, 2015, 5:30-8:00 pm

Where: Touchstone Gallery, 901 New York Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20001

Contact: Diane Lempert, diane@beargivers.org, Phone 212.224.0140,

Cell 917.941.6963

About Bear Givers

Bear Givers is dedicated to bringing joy to the lives of children in need. Through hospital visits and school programs, this innovative non-profit touches the lives of children and their families with a personal visit and the gift of a soft, cuddly teddy bear. Bear Givers also offers programs that enable special needs children to become givers and experience the thrill and pride of bringing happiness to others. Bear Givers programs include Empowerment, EmpowerArt, Hospital Visits, and Teddy Bear Clinics. For more information, visit beargivers.org.

About Jill’s House

Jill’s House, a full-service overnight respite center, renews families through much-needed breaks while providing a safe, fun environment for children with special needs. This innovative 42,000-square foot, 45-bed respite resort for children ages 6 to 17 with intellectual disabilities and their siblings, is located in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area, providing rest to families of all faiths and backgrounds. Jill’s House also serves families in Maryland, Virginia, California, Texas, and Indiana through local partnerships– with more sites coming soon. Since 2010, Jill’s House has provided nearly 500,000 hours of hope and renewal to more than 500 families. Receiving no direct state or federal funding, Jill’s House was created and is maintained through individual donations and grants. To find out more visit jillshouse.org or follow us on Facebook at Facebook.com/jillshouse and on Twitter @Jills_House.