Beads of Courage is brewing up a unique fundraiser: The Beads, Bands & Beer Festival and Forever Home Grand Opening will be held from noon to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 8 at Beads of Courage, 3301 N. First Ave.
“The mission of Beads of Courage is to provide arts in medicine programs that transform the human caring experience. Music is art and medicine. It uplifts and keeps the human spirit strong during good and challenging times. The Beads & Bands Festival brings community together to enjoy a full day of music and we are so grateful to Banner Children’s at Diamond Children’s Medical Center for sponsoring the music for the festival,” said Jean Gribbon, chief mission officer for Beads of Courage.
Gribbon founded the Beads of Courage Arts in Medicine programs more than 20 years ago to enable children with serious and/or chronic illnesses to chronicle their health journeys through beads. The endeavor has expanded to more than 400 children’s hospitals in nine countries. The organization recently purchased a “Forever Home” at 3301 N. First Ave. and has been renovating the 4,200-square-foot facility. It will serve as a hub for the nonprofit’s operations and programming and Gribbon is thrilled that the upcoming festival will double as a grand opening to the public.
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“We are under under one roof here, and for us operational efficiency is key. We have our volunteer center, so anyone who comes to visit can truly experience our mission and support kids; and our Master Bead Pharmacy, which is our main fulfillment center. People newer to our mission may not realize that we distribute 14 million beads annually to kids around the world,” Gribbon said.
A force of volunteers facilitate the operations, including Grace Kumar.
Kumar, a teacher at Manzanita Elementary School, learned about the nonprofit from a colleague. She began volunteering weekly after her nephew, Adrian, was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in October 2022 and became a participant in the program.
“I was very honored that my sister and brother-in-law allowed me to be in the room when he was introduced to Beads of Courage and they presented him his first beads. It was a very special moment. When we are at Beads of Courage packaging beads with love and beautiful wishes for each recipient, I had no idea how they introduce the program to the patients and it was just beautiful,” Kumar said.
Adrian received a stem cell transplant — his older brother was his donor — in March of 2023. Now 13, he is doing well and continues treatment at Banner Children’s. His beads have been beside him, marking treatment milestones throughout the journey.
“I think it helps the children understand what they are going through: It is a wonderful way to help them cope. I feel it helps them become stronger and have more hope,” Kumar said.
Go to https://beadsofcourage.org/ for more information, tickets or to donate.
