Mosaic of Service Projects Reflects Lisa Hoffmann’s Can-Do Spirit
Her business is children’s art education, and Lisa Hoffmann of Chicago, Illinois excels in her pursuits as reflected in a Top Producers Award and two Raving Fan Awards based upon results from the 2010 site and parent surveys. In addition to these honors, Hoffmann received the 2010 Community Service Award for making significant contributions to her community under the Abrakadoodle brand (Photo right- Lisa is flanked by Abrakadoodle cofounders Mary Rogers, left and Rosemarie Hartnett). Lisa accepted these awards during Abrakadoodle’s sixth annual national conference held April 30-May 2, 2010 at the National Harbor in Oxen Hill, Maryland.
“Lisa is a wonderful ambassador for Abrakadoodle and develops outstanding relationships in her community while spreading goodwill along the way,” remarked Rosemarie Hartnett, CFE, Co-Founder & President of Abrakadoodle, Inc.
Her church is very active in mission work and whenever they are going to an impoverished place, Lisa always asks if there will be kids there and if she can send art supplies for them. “I always try to send frames because I think it is so powerful for kids – especially kids without much – to have their artwork framed,” Hoffmann explains. She has sent art supplies to Kentucky every summer for five years to benefit children who would not otherwise have the opportunity to participate in art.
When Lisa spoke to the principal of the Holy Family Catholic School regarding their new school, the principal mentioned that she would love to have the school’s mascot painted on the gym wall. Lisa jumped – or rather climbed – at the opportunity. Hoffmann is currently providing an integrated preschool program at the school and afterschool art club for 5-8th graders. The principal recently approached Lisa about helping the school’s 8th graders paint a mural on the wall as a donation to the school for graduation. Lisa is guiding the 8th graders on this art project and enables each of them to paint at least once on the mural (section shown right). She exclaims, “The kids weren’t really sure what to expect when starting the mural. It is fun to see the kids paint and the kids are SO proud!”
Lisa also joined in a community fundraising fair to benefit a family whose youngest boy (Logan) is battling leukemia. Lisa conducted face painting, which was well-received. The event was successful not just in raising money but also in showing support and raising community awareness.
Lisa has also collected broken crayons, which were melted down to make heart-shaped crayons in support of Hearts for Haiti. She is repeating this project in preparation for a trip to Guatemala this summer, so that the children can sell these heart-shaped crayons and make money. “I was looking for something that the youngest children in our church could do to be a part of the missions in our church,” Lisa reports.
After a recent Kids on Canvas class, which Lisa conducted at-cost for a small group of children, she displayed the art in the hallway between classes and she exclaimed, “Children are so excited to see their art displayed. The adults didn’t quite know what they were going to see. Everyone was thrilled with the quality of the kids’ art. They LOVED it!”
We salute Lisa Hoffmann for her caring, can-do attitude which helps brighten and enrich the lives of children.
