CoachArt hosts San Diego event for chronically ill kids July 27: mask-making & book reading
Industry: Non Profit & Charity
Join "Tiger Livy" author Erin Garcia to make masks, hear excerpts from the book, and make new friends
San Diego, CA (PRUnderground) July 24th, 2019
Children need strength and bravery to deal with a diagnosis of chronic illness, and they may find inspiration in superheroes, athletes, or even jungle animals. On Saturday, July 27, San Diego kids can explore their inspiration at a mask-making activity and book reading led by author Erin Garcia and hosted by CoachArt, a nonprofit organization that provides free arts and athletics activities to kids impacted by childhood chronic illness.
Garcia will read passages from Tiger Livy, the illustrated book she co-authored about a girl who takes inspiration from her favorite animal, the tiger, as she learns how to live with her own chronic illness.
This free event is open to all ages and will take place from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the WeWork building, 600 B Street in San Diego. Families impacted by childhood chronic illness may sign up to participate at CoachArt.org/TigerLivyRSVP. A signed copy of Tiger Livy will be gifted to each family; supplies are limited and priority will be given chronologically to those who sign up first.
Garcia is an English teacher at Clovis West High School in California’s Central Valley. Her inspiration to write Tiger Livy came when her niece Livy, then five years old, was diagnosed with a rare autoimmune disease and Garcia realized that few children’s books were available about kids with chronic illness. The book’s unique message speaks to any child dealing with social or emotional issues, helping them to discover their own inner strength and courage.
Garcia enlisted writer Betsy Miller as co-author; Clovis North High School student Ivreese Tong donated her talents as the book’s illustrator. Tiger Livy was published earlier this year.
“Children living with chronic illness often feel isolated and afraid, and this affects their entire family,” said Greg Harrell-Edge, executive director of CoachArt. “By bringing these families together and providing them with an outlet to express their creativity, we’re trying to build their sense of community and empowerment.”
About CoachArt: CoachArt matches volunteer coaches with chronically ill children and their siblings, ages 5 to 18, for free one-on-one or group lessons in arts and athletics. The organization, founded in 2001 by Leah Bernthal and SurveyMonkey CEO Zander Lurie, recently expanded its service area to include San Diego; it also serves families in Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay Area. To get involved please visit CoachArt.org/SanDiego or call 619-378-7269.
About CoachArt
CoachArt matches volunteer coaches with chronically ill children and their siblings, ages 5 to 18, for free one-on-one or group lessons in arts and athletics. The organization, founded in 2001 by Leah Bernthal and SurveyMonkey CEO Zander Lurie, recently expanded its service area to include San Diego; it also serves families in Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay Area. To get involved please visit CoachArt.org/SanDiego or call 619-378-7269.
