The Andréa Rizzo Foundation - MAY Newsletter
Remembering Andr é a on May 19th
May 19th will always be a difficult day. That was the day we lost Andréa to a senseless tragedy. A drunk driver may have taken her life but her dream lives on through the efforts of family, friends and supporters of The Andréa Rizzo Foundation's pediatric dance therapy program - Dréa's Dream . We thank you for making sure that her quest to help children with cancer and special needs is carried on in this meaningful way. Each year, on this date, her friends and colleagues gather for a meeting to reflect on our accomplishments and to plan the upcoming memorial birthday celebration at Andréa's alma mater, Salve Regina University on the Cliff Walk in Newport, RI. 
 
This year the Cliff Walk Birthday Celebration Picnic will be held on Sunday August 12th 1-3pm near to McCauley Hall on the campus that Andréa loved dearly. All supporters of Dréa's Dream are welcome to attend.

DRÉA'S DREAM TEAM
I'm constantly asked how the Andréa Rizzo Foundation has grown far and wide through the efforts of a completely volunteer staff. My answer is always the same, "Dréa has sent us a " Dream Team " of angels!"
  
Each month we will spotlight a different volunteer to show our appreciation. There are so many compassionate and dedicated volunteers and "angels" so I will randomly choose one to introduce to you each month. 
  
We hope you'll enjoy reading about each of these individuals as much as we love presenting them to you. 
  
Sincerely,
Susan Rizzo-Vincent - President
Dréa’s Dream Team: May Spotlight on Cara Lynch-Passarelli
Cara Lynch-Passarelli has been a strong supporter of The Andréa Rizzo Foundation since the day we lost Andréa. She immediately wrote a poetic piece that was included in our Celebration of Andréa's life - "Andréa's gift was the great dance of the heart and it moves us all."
 
From that point forward, Cara has volunteered in many ways to support her friend’s memorial foundation. When we needed photographic assistance for our website, Cara was there to help. She's helped at our Cliff Walk Birthday Celebration and has always been happy to raise pledges, sell raffle tickets, or help with anything we've needed. 
 
Most recently, for Cara's own birthday, she selflessly created a Facebook Fundraiser and asked her friends to donate to our cause. We are so grateful to Cara for her generous support of the Andréa Rizzo Foundation over so many years.
DAA Events

We wanted to recognize a dance event snuck by us in December! Thank you to Imagine Dance Project in Cottleville, MO for your generous donation and fundraising event. 

Also, at Herbert T. Richardson Elementary School in Perth Amboy, NY, the teachers and staff dedicated “Jeans Day”, once again, to Dréa's Dream with a generous donation.

Astoria Dance Centre in Queens, NY sharing their beautiful photos (below) from their fundraiser in December.
April
 
St. Rita’s School in Hamden, CT held a fundraiser. Thank you for your support.
 
April 20 & 22 – Newport, RI – Salve Regina University’s SRU Dance Club geared up for their Spring Showcase, “Bounce,” that raised funds for the Foundation. 
 
April 28 – Bluffton, IN – Tiger Dance Company, formed by former HGDC member, Amanda Burman, held their dance performance at Bluffton High School to raise funds for the foundation!
 
April 29 – West Lafayette, IN – Purdue University’s dance club, Higher Ground Dance Company, dedicated their Spring performance to our cause. We are so grateful to each and every HGDC member for their years of support!
 
May
 
May 11 – Matawan, NJ – Arts in Motion held their 9th consecutive fundraiser for the foundation. Thank you to the entire Arts in Motion family for keeping their support going for so many years. Your dedication is truly admirable.  
AMAZON SMILE!
You can raise funds for the Andréa Rizzo Foundation while online shopping at  smile.amazon.

Simply sign into your Amazon account at  s mile.amazon.com  and click "Your Account" in the top right side of the toolbar, then click "Change Your Charity" in the scroll-down column.

When prompted to select a charity, type The Andréa Rizzo Foundation and do all of your shopping for a good cause! (you only need to type in your choice of charity the first time you set this up). Amazon donates 0.5% of the price of your eligible A mazonSmile purchases to the charitable organization of your choice.
DANCE THERAPIST CORNER
Our many Dréa’s Dream stories have been moving and important to share, so we wanted to make them more accessible to you. Please take a moment to check out a new section on our website dedicated to the important work our Dance/Movement Therapists are doing.  Read, share, enjoy these moments of beauty.   
Find us on Social Media!

Facebook: ARizzoFoundation
Instagram: @dreasdream
Twitter: @dreasdream
SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT
Talent on Parade  has become a loyal sponsor, helping us get Dance Across America up and running for the past two years. They are an official sponsor of the Dance Across America campaign in support of Dréa's Dream nationwide. 
We thank the  Rhee Gold Company  for continuing to support our efforts and spreading the word of Dréa's Dream in their  Dance Studio Life  magazine and through  DSL Dance Wire   news on-line.
The Moret Group  has provided prizes for our Dance Across America pledge-raising competition each year. We are so grateful to John Debease at The Moret Group for arranging the donation of fabulous activewear for our top pledge raisers.
The Andrea Rizzo Foundation | 401-952-2423 | dreasdream@aol.com | DreasDream.org
10 East Beach Road Charlestown, RI 02813