FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
INDIANAPOLIS — The IU Lilly Family School of Philanthropy’s “Philanthropists in Training” Jagathon Dance Marathon team will be raising money for the Palliative Care program at Riley Hospital for Children at IU Health. Graduate and undergraduate students from the school have teamed up to create an art auction to benefit the program.
The students have asked leaders in the Indianapolis community, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis and the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy — as well as a few Indianapolis Zoo residents — to create finger paintings that will be auctioned off online during the Helping Hands Art Auction, with all proceeds benefitting the Palliative Care program.
Original creations by the following, among others, will be up for bids, beginning at $25 each:
- Azy the orangutan, Indianapolis Zoo
- Jett the dolphin, Indianapolis Zoo
- Rockhopper penguins, Indianapolis Zoo
- Tombi the elephant, Indianapolis Zoo
- Charles R. Bantz, IUPUI chancellor
- Karen Ferguson, president and publisher of The Indianapolis Star
- Patrick Flaherty, executive director of the Indianapolis Art Center
- Jill Gordon, Youth Philanthropy Initiative of Indiana
- Julie Hatcher, executive director of the Center for Service and Learning, IUPUI
- Melynne Klaus, Board of Visitors chair for the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy
- Amir Pasic, Lilly Family School of Philanthropy dean
- Scott Stulen, curator of audience experiences and performance at the Indianapolis Museum of Art
- Joanna Taft, executive director of the Harrison Center for the Arts
The auction, which began Monday, will conclude at 9 p.m. EST Sunday, Feb. 22. Auction items can be viewed on the Helping Hands Art Auction website. Word of the auction can be spread on social media using the hashtag #JagArt4Riley.
The Philanthropists in Training Team is participating in the IUPUI campus-wide Jagathon, a 12-hour dance marathon benefitting the Palliative Care program at Riley Hospital for Children. Since 2003, Jagathon has raised more than $172,000; this year’s overall goal is to raise $100,000.
Palliative Care at Riley Hospital for Children is a support program for children and their families as they face the challenges of a life-limiting diagnosis. It includes services such as advanced symptom care, hospice and bereavement counseling and is delivered by a collaborative team of physicians, advanced practice providers, nurses, social workers and spiritual care providers.