STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — A “Young Creator’s Showcase’’ fundraiser to support families battling pediatric cancer will be held Sunday, Nov. 16, at Flagship Brewery, St. George.
The event will allow young artists to display their work, turning the brewery into a stunning gallery of bright colors and creativity, while also featuring raffles, prizes, games, crafts, food, and family-friendly fun from 1 to 5 p.m.
Hosted by Kelley Olson and Joseph O’Hara, owners of Well Built Home Services, New Springville, the event’s proceeds will go to the Liv Like a Unicorn Foundation, which provides financial assistance for medical expenses, helps fund childhood cancer research, and spreads awareness about pediatric cancer.
Olson said the idea for the fundraising art show came from her daughter, Charley, 6.
“We were reading a book, and in the book one of the characters was holding an art show, and it was a really cute idea my daughter had, to have one for the kids in the community,” she recalled.
Then Olson decided to take it a step further, she said.
“We wanted to make it bigger, by making it a fundraiser,’’ she explained.
Olson’s friend, former Staten Islander Brittany Pace, is a board member of Liv Like a Unicorn, so Olson was familiar with the good works the not-for-profit organization is doing.
The charity was founded by Olivia Grace Lipnicky, an 8-year-old girl who lost her life to Diffuse Midline Glioma, a rare and incurable pediatric brain tumor, in 2019. The organization continues to support families, funds research and spreads comfort to children undergoing treatment.
“As a parent, I can’t imagine something worse than pediatric cancer,’’ Olson said, noting she’s met the organization’s founders. “They’re just such good people. They help families directly pay their medical bills. They’re funding research, delivering care packages to the sick children. They support them emotionally, financially … their whole story really spoke to me.”
The Young Creator’s Showcase is more than an art show, she said, adding: “It’s a celebration of kids, creativity, and community spirit, and a reminder that compassion and action can start right at home.”
So far, about 20 children are expected to display their colorful art at the event, yet registration remains open until Nov. 7.
There is no cost to enter the event, but families are encouraged to donate to the charity, which continues to support families years after Liv’s passing.
Prizes available that day include tickets to the Christmas Show at the St. George Theatre, gift cards from local photographers, gym memberships and toy packages.
The prizes were donated by local businesses, including: Island Gymnastics; Mrs. Rosemary’s Dance; Dear Baby Photography; Jessie James Photography; Sweetest Smiles; R’Berry Arts; Denino’s; Joyce’s Tavern; Jimmie Max; DJ Got Me Fit; and Steph’s Creativity Corner, among others.
To submit artwork or learn more, visit the submission form or contact Well Built Home Services at (917) 512-2654 or by email.
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