It’s the height of summer and a local nonprofit is trying to keep its cool as it provides hope and healing to children coping with cancer and other serious illnesses.
Beads of Courage, which moved into a 4,200-square-foot “Forever Home” at 3301 N. First Ave. earlier this year, is facing a $16,000 replacement expense for an air conditioning unit.
The building is the hub of the nonprofit’s global operations and programming — and the home of its volunteer center and Master Bead Pharmacy, from which it distributes 14 million beads worldwide annually.
“I am so thankful for all of our amazing donors who believe in beads and made this home for our bead family a reality. It still hasn’t sunk into my heart that we were able to raise the downpayment needed to take ownership of this amazing property. It has streamlined so much for the small and mighty team serving our mission daily and is really a beacon of hope and love,” said Jean Gribbon, Chief Mission Officer of Beads of Courage.
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That mission is significant: Every day Beads of Courage helps 60,000 children in nine countries record and tell their own stories of courage through beads. The vision began more than 20 years ago with Gribbon’s development of the arts in medicine program hallmarked by a color-coded system of 17 beads representing everything from needle pokes and blood transfusions to overnight hospital stays and chemotherapy; additionally, handmade “Act of Courage” beads mark treatment defining moments. Strung together, the beads create a narrative representative of each child’s health journey.
“These are not just little beads. They are beads of life,” said Gribbon, who believes that the public increasingly recognizes the value of arts in medicine programming.
Opportunities to support Beads of Courage include the 2025 Summer Challenge, which seeks to raise at least $20,000 by Monday, Sept. 22. The fundraiser provides incentives and encouragement for participants to complete at least 100 miles of walking, running, cycling, swimming or paddling.
“The Challenge is to complete 100 miles and raise $100 — or to just donate $100. It is a great way to turn fun summer activities into meaningful support for courageous kids,” said Gribbon.
Go to https://beadsofcourage.org/summer-challenge-2025/ to learn more and register.
Go to https://beadsofcourage.org/ to make a donation directly toward the new AC unit and other operational needs.
