Marla Hockfeld, Education Director of Abrakadoodle-Las Vegas & Henderson, NV, was recognized with the Community Service Award for her significant contributions to her community under the Abrakadoodle brand as nominated and selected by her peers nationwide during Abrakadoodle’s 5th annual, national conference in May 2009. The conferees gave Ms. Hockfeld a rousing standing ovation as her contributions were highlighted for the audience. Ms. Hockfeld has been working with “Candlelighters,” an organization that provides support services to families that have children with terminal cancer. She and her teachers have been conducting Abrakadoodle art classes with the children once a week. Abrakadoodle has been traveling to two different pediatric cancer clinics and has been spending an hour at each clinic, providing art instruction and activities for the children while they receive treatment. Additionally, Ms. Hockfeld has provided art programming for foster children ages 3-16, and she has also worked with about 200 children worldwide who suffer from albinism and hyper-pigmentation. The conference was held at the National Harbor located in Maryland near the District of Columbia.

In conferring her award, Rosemarie Hartnett, Co-Founder & President of Abrakadoodle remarked, “Marla’s contributions to her community are absolutely heart-warming. Her art programs for children with cancer truly serve as a therapeutic outlet for the kids, which their parents really appreciate. Most of these children are being home-schooled due to their illnesses, and Abrakadoodle brings a creative, educational connection to them. All of Marla’s remarkable community service projects serve as an inspiration to us all, and I am tremendously gratified to present her this award.”

To learn more about Abrakadoodle art classes, camps, workshops and parties, visit us on the web .