A Closet for Scottish Rite

Friday Zack and I had the fortunate opportunity to meet with a few ladies at Texas Scottish Rite in Dallas. A good friend, and fellow cancer dad, Dr. David Podeszwa connected us with the director of development for the hospital. We met with her as well as a childlife specialist and one of their physical therapists.

Being parents of a cancer child, we have no experience with the world of pediatric orthapedics, dyslexia and other medical conditions. But upon entering the crayon flanked entrance of this unique establishment, we were greeted with a warm and homey feeling. This hospital does not feel like one at all- it doesn't smell like a hospital or look like a hospital either. It is decorated with child-friendly displays- over sized toys, mechanical contraptions and other bright and cheerful items all children and adults are sure to love.

The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the placement of a dress up closet in their playroom. It was a quick, easy, and friendly meeting. The hospital staff was excited to receive our services and in turn we were just as excited to be a part of such a wonderful establishment.

There will be some interesting hurdles to undertake when it comes to dressing these kids up- some have missing limbs and other have halos attached to their skulls in preparation for surgery. But if we know anything, we know that kids of any kind love dress up no matter what they are going through- we saw all sorts of orthapedic devices all fancified up which made us smile. Now it is our turn to make sure these kids feel just as awesome outside as they are inside.

We look forward to joining Texas Scottish Rite and bringing kids with unique circumstances the joy of dress up!

Dress Up Drive 2010

Mark your calendars, tell your friends, and get ready to join us for our third annual Dress Up Drive!

November 13th is our collection date at Colleyville Heritage High School from 9am to noon. (Hwy 121 and Hall Johnson- Click here for map)

We are in need of financial support as well as NEW costumes and accessories for children sizes 2-10. (See list of needs below).

Every day ill children are finding happiness through the escape that the Princess Alexa Foundation provides through dress up. YOU can help us create superheroes and princesses! Be a part of our Dress Up Dollars program and raise funds to help us give to more children than ever in the coming year!

We now have dress up closets in all Dallas/Fort Worth children's hospitals and Ronald McDonald Houses! But our giving doesn't stop there- it stretches out to children across the U.S.! We need your help to continue giving to children who need it most.


















Alexa's Playground - the pink playground Alexa dreamed of just before passing away. We are currently raising funds toward our $250,000 goal to make this dream a reality and bring laughter to children in our community for years to come. This will be the first ADA accessible playground for the city of Keller.

For more information please contact Crys Aigner, our founder and director at 817-875-7490 or princessalexafoundation@gmail.com


Costume and Accessory Needs:
Boys:
Costumes: Superheroes, Star Wars characters,
Accessories: Anything! swords, masks, capes, guns, etc.

Girls:
Costumes: Princesses, superheroes, TV and film characters
Accessories: crowns, boas, wands, make up, jewelry, wigs, any other accessories

Touch a Truck 2010!

Join us for the 2nd annual Touch a Truck fundraising event as we celebrate with the city of Keller at the annual Wild West Fest!

Saturday, September 25th
10am-2pm
Bear Creek Park
suggested donation: $10 individual, $20 family

Children and their families can explore all kinds of vehicles from hot rods to construction equipment.












This will also be our official kick off debut for our Remember to Play campaign- the fundraising toward building Alexa's Playground at the Keller Sports Park.

Cook Children's Celebrates Closets!

On June 25th, the two year anniversary of Alexa's passing, we celebrated the opening of the newest Dress up Closets at Cook Children's Medical Center in Fort Worth. The larger unit will be housed on the oncology floor and available to all children with serious illnesses. The smaller chest will stay in the transplant unit so even the most critical of patients can enjoy the love of dress up. It was a very special day with special guests and even more special children.

Thank you to Yony Kim for photography, Shantelle Wheeler for artistry and face painting, Bubbles the Clown and Friends for entertainment and all our wonderful volunteers and board members who made this day perfect.

Cook Children

Playroom Makeover for Ronald McDonald House Fort Worth

The Playroom Entrance Before and After












Friday, June 18th, 2010 marked a special day for The Princess Alexa Foundation and the Ronald McDonald House of Fort Worth. It was the Grand Opening of the newly remodeled and made-over Princess Alexa Playroom! Originally, the idea was to place a Dress Up Closet in the house for them, but when we saw the condition of the playroom, we knew it needed much more. So we rolled up our sleeves, got to work and gave them not only a Dress Up Closet, but a playroom to bring happiness to children for many years to come. New paint, new shelving, all new toys, games, books, puzzles, train table and magnificent doll house were added in to make the room a wonderland.

Thank you:
Beck Elementary in Trophy Club, TX for the toys
Teacher's Tools for the train table, games, books, puzzles and toys
Sherwin Williams in Watauga for the paint
Liz Mizell for the artist work
Kim Holbrook and Leslie Vasquez for painting
Vanya Millwork for cabinetry
Parrish-Hare Electrical Supply for lighting
Andy Nantz of Mr. Electric for installation of lighting
Yony Kim for Photography
The Playroom Before and After

First Annual Fairy Tale Fundraiser

The Fairy Tale Fundraiser for 2010 was a smashing hit! Thank you to all who made this an occasion to remember:

Amber Weitzer Agency
Anderson Family
Cakes by Valerie
Colleyville Heritage High School
Maggianos
Robert and Vicki Dipretore in honor of Zack and Amberlyn Parmer
Snapshots!
Vickie Cunningham Photography
Yony Kim Photography

And of course our incredible Board and Volunteers!

Meet Miss Kenzie- the newest Alexa Friend

Kenzie Whitaker is a 14 year old National Junior Honor Society student at Trinity Springs Middle School in Keller, Texas. When she was given the task to complete community service hours, Kenzie wanted to do something that would affect a cause she felt passionate about. She wanted to do something to enrich the lives of those with cancer.
Over the last eighteen months, cancer was what was running her family's life. Her grandmother fought cancer bravely and was lucky enough to become a survivor. But, Kenzie's aunt she had a very special relationship with unfortunately was unable to beat the disease.
In addition to her school activities, Kenzie is also a member of the ASI Gymnastics team where Alexa attended. There is a plaque that hangs up in the local gym in Alexa's honor. Kenzie was so moved by Alexa's story and how she fought cancer that she was motivated to choose the Princess Alexa Foundation as the recipient of her service hours.
With the help of Grandma Mimi's "Smelly Jellies", Kenzie began a campaign to raise enough funds to become an official Alexa Friend. She called her fundraiser "This Makes Good Sentz" and gathered support from family, friends and neighbors. Together they earned the $250 to become an Alexa Friend and presented the donation to our director, Crys Aigner, in April just in time for Alexa's birthday.

Thank you, Kenzie, for your incredible dedication to helping others. Your gift will make many sick children's lives brighter. We are proud to call you one of Alexa's Friends!

Alexa Invites You to Her Fairy Tale Party!

Start shining your slippers and fluffing your capes my dears, a quite royal affair is upon us!

On May 23rd, from 1-3pm, Colleyville Heritage High School plays host to a party so majestic, it's suited for a King! Princes, Princesses, and Knights in the the Royal Order of all ages are cordially invited to dream away on a magical journey through the imagination. "My Fancy Fairy Tale Party" provides a special day for families to dress up together and celebrate the beauty and joy that springs up in our hearts when we play out our dreams.

There will be treats for your every fancy. Characters from your favorite Movies, Zoe the clown, Castle Cake, face painting, dancing and memory-capturing crafts.

To add to the charm of the day's special theme, please dress up to your heart's desire, after all, it's not every Sunday you find an occasion to don your crowns and ballgowns.

Alexa would be most excited to have you as a guest to her merry gathering! Buy your ticket for this most spellbinding of events, it simply can't be missed!

Tickets are $10 per person (children 3 and under are free)

Please RSVP to princessalexafoundation@gmail.com or (817) 875-7490

Tickets can be purchased online through May 22 or cash/check at the door

In Honor of the Original Princess

Thank you to Emma in London for this beautiful video.

Dress Up Closet Opening - Ronald McDonald House of Dallas

Photography included by Morgan Mizell


On Valentine's Day, we opened the newest dress up closet at The Ronald McDonald House in Dallas. It was a beautiful day and the children were all so happy to be spoiled with love.

Special thanks goes to Kennedy Legal Firm of Dallas for sponsoring the closet and the party, Magic Hands for the construction of the closet, Liz Mizell for the incredible painting of the closet, Whole Foods for catering and Valerie Nankervis for the cake.

Our working board and other volunteers made the day extra special for all the families who were staying at the house that day. And we couldn't do it without our wonderful donors, especially Little Adventures! Thank you all very much for spreading happiness- the greatest gift of all.