Safelite helps kids and teens with life-threatening illnesses through Alicia’s Art Cart
FORT WORTH, TEXAS – Safelite AutoGlass has partnered with the Alicia Rose Victorious Foundation (ARVF) to brighten the hospital stays of seriously ill teens through Alicia’s Art Cart. Beginning with a cart for teens at Cook Children’s in Fort Worth, Safelite will be sponsoring additional carts at children’s hospitals in different states in the coming months.
Filled with a variety of art supplies, Alicia’s Art Cart is geared to boost the spirits of teens as an amenity designed just for them. The Art Cart is a project of the ARVF, which partners with children’s hospitals to provide support and creature comforts for teens and young adults who are facing serious illness. ARVF was founded by Mario and Gisele DiNatale, in memory of their teenage daughter who lost her battle with cancer in 2002.
As a good friend of the DiNatales, Safelite Solutions Vice President of Client Sales and Support Gary Strain got involved with the organization, adding his business acumen and eventually joining the ARVF board. It was his idea to have Safelite sponsor some of the art carts in various areas of the country.
“I’m very excited that Safelite will be supporting a cause that is near and dear to my heart,” Strain shared. “The art cart brightens often difficult days for kids at a time when their lives need a lift the most,” he said.
Associates with Safelite assembled the art cart by hand and presented it to Cook Children’s, where it will be used on the dialysis unit.
Alicia Rose Victorious Foundation Program Coordinator Bridget Murray was also delighted by Safelite’s gift. “We can’t thank Safelite enough for their involvement and support to this incredible cause and program,” she said. “We truly appreciate everyone’s efforts, and hope that this was a great experience for the Safelite associates who attended.”
Going forward, Strain has identified several states where there is an opportunity for Safelite associates in locations in each area to offer support. His goal is for Safelite to take part in 10 “unveiling events” before the end of the 2018 calendar year.
About Safelite AutoGlass®
With more than 7,800 MobileGlassShops™ and stores in all 50 states, Safelite AutoGlass® is the nation’s largest provider of vehicle glass repair, replacement, and calibration services. Last year 6 million customers chose Safelite AutoGlass for its 24/7 national contact centers, advanced online scheduling, superior repair and replacement systems, and the industry’s in only nationwide lifetime guarantee.
Safelite AutoGlass is a member of the Safelite® Group family of brands, which together, make a difference in the lives of 10 million customers annually. This leading service organization, founded in 1947, is reaching record-growth thanks to its People Powered, Customer Driven strategy. The Columbus, Ohio-based company employs nearly 14,000 people across the United States.
About Alicia Rose Victorious Foundation Alicia Rose Victorious Foundation (ARVF, Corp.) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable organization located in Voorhees, NJ. ARVF provides adolescent programs, and activities to enhance the quality of life for hospitalized teens battling cancer and other life-threatening illnesses. Since 2002, “Victorious 4 Teens” programs have helped more than 75,000 critically ill teens and their families during hospitalization. The Foundation has raised over $2 million funding 63 Teen Lounges, special rooms in hospitals where young teen patients can hang out, watch movies, listen to music, play video games, and/or use computers. ARVF has also distributed over 14,000 “Teen Kits & Bandana Pillows” to hospitalized teens, and hosted Proms in children’s hospitals. For more information about ARVF and to find out how you can help hospitalized teens, visit www.victoriousfoundation.org