Sometimes it’s cool to be the artist
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Sometimes it’s cool to be the artist
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$110,000 ART SOLD! to benefit the GLENDORA FOUNDATION
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Glendora Foundation
“We cannot rely on State funding for a competitive, modern education for Glendora’s students. Supporting GEF empowers us to ensure excellence in education.”
Over a quarter million in Art SOLD to benefit the Peoria Promise!
Over a quarter million in Art SOLD to benefit the Peoria Promise!
Michael Israel has raised over $250,000 and helped draw sponsors for the Peoria Promise, having worked with Mayor Jim Ardis since he founded the tuition reimbursement program working to help local students go to school and join the workforce.
The program was initially for students who had attended public schools in Peoria but has since expanded to private school graduates and now to students with GEDs and those homeschooled.
The galas serve to raise funds and celebrate those who made the program possible.
“The promise pillars this evening will be announced. They are the top 5 companies that have supported Peoria Promise from day one: Caterpillar, Advanced Medical Transport, RLI, OSF Health Care, and Unity Point,” Peoria Promise Executive Director MJ Schettler said.
The program has raised over $4.4 million and helped over 2,600 students get an associate’s degree or certification. Schettler said 87% of their alumni are working in Peoria.
PAST EVENT | Getting ready for performance on FOX
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Getting ready for performance on FOX to promote an appearance for the Payton Wright Foundation gala.
IT ALL STARTED WHEN…
In early 2006, three-year-old Payton Wright began complaining of a pain in her knee. Thinking that it was nothing more than growing pains, her parents, Holly and Patrick, took her to the doctor, who told them the pain would probably go away on its own. When it persisted, the Wrights were told that it was probably juvenile arthritis or perhaps diskitis.
After a few weeks with no improvement, Dr. Bob Morelli, the ER doctor at All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg, FL ordered an MRI. On May 17, 2006, just weeks after her 4th birthday, Payton was diagnosed with cancer when the MRI revealed a tumor on her spine and pelvis. Always concerned for others, Payton looked at her worried father as she was wheeled into her first surgery and said, “Don’t worry, Dad. It’s gonna be a good day.” Payton fought her entire battle with the attitude that every day was going to be a good one.
The doctors determined that Payton had Medulloepithelioma, a very rare form of brain cancer, and one for which there was no treatment protocol and very little hope for recovery. First at All Children’s and later at Duke University Medical Center in Durham, NC, doctors pieced together Payton’s treatment, which included intense rounds of chemotherapy and radiation.
In August of 2006, Payton was paralyzed from the waist down due to the tumor’s compression of her spine. She received as much radiation as a human body can tolerate, but the tumor continued to grow. Payton continued to fight, and she was able to graduate with her preschool class in May of 2007. However, the cancer continued to spread, and on May 29, 2007, Payton passed away at the age of 5.
Patrick and Holly Wright saw how courageously their daughter fought, and they promised her that they would never stop fighting. The Payton Wright Foundation was created both in Payton’s memory and with her fighting spirit so that children with brain cancer will know that “it’s gonna be a good day!”
Members of the Wright family kept a blog during Payton’s Journey. You can read all of the posts here:
Payton’s Journey – The blog Payton’s mom kept during her treatment and after her death.Â
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Artwork Raises $147,500 for Promises2Kids: Supporting Foster Children in San Diego County
Several years ago, the improbable became possible when Promises2Kids presented Michael Israel with a formidable challenge: raise funds and dazzle their patrons with just a 7-minute time slot. What followed was a journey that would defy expectations and leave an indelible mark on the hearts of many.
At the heart of this audacious challenge was Michael, a world-renowned artist and entertainer. His remarkable talents were about to be put to the test in a way that would not only change the trajectory of Promises2Kids but also the lives of countless foster children. Armed with a canvas and an audience filled with anticipation, Michael embarked on a 7-minute live painting performance that would leave everyone in awe.
The response was nothing short of extraordinary. Michael’s ability to turn a blank canvas into a masterpiece in a mere 7 minutes captured the imagination of all who were present. His performance was met with thunderous applause, and the patrons of Promises2Kids were not only amazed but also deeply moved to contribute to the cause.
In his first year, Michael shared the stage with Don Felder of the Eagles, setting the bar high for what was to come. The second year brought the enchanting Belinda Carlisle into the mix, adding a musical dimension to the event. And in the third year, the band Daughtry lent their talents, creating a magical fusion of art and music that was nothing short of spectacular.
Yet, the most astonishing part of this incredible journey was the outcome: over $145,000 raised through Michael’s 7-minute performances. This astounding achievement not only underscores Michael’s exceptional artistic abilities but also his unwavering commitment to supporting Promises2Kids and their mission to assist foster children in need.
In the world of fundraising and entertainment, the partnership between Michael Israel and Promises2Kids is nothing short of miraculous. It serves as a testament to the transformative power of art, music, and philanthropy, demonstrating that when talents and passions align, extraordinary things can happen. This story continues to inspire, reminding us that with determination and creativity, we can make a profound difference in the lives of those who need it most.
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