Mural in East Naples unveiled in support of SWFL child cancer patients

Writer: Jack Lowenstein
Published:
Credit: WINK News.

The goal for the unveiling of a mural was to bring sunshine to Southwest Florida’s children battling cancer.

Nonprofit Sunshine Kids Foundation unveiled a mosaic mural on the side of A. JARON Fine Jewelry in East Naples Saturday, a project designed to give back to children with cancer in Southwest Florida.

“This is kind of a passion project,” said Maddie Alger, activities coordinator for the Sunshine Kids.

The 30-foot long, 12-foot high mosaic wall mural began as an idea by Amanda Jaron, artist and owner of A. JARON Fine Jewelry, to convert her building’s wall into a public art piece.

Building on the initial concept, Alger, her father, David Alger, a local artisan of wrought iron and blown glass, and Janet Yon, special projects coordinator with the Sunshine Kids, developed a vision and a plan for a piece of art to raise both awareness and funds for The Sunshine Kids Foundation.

“Sunshine kids, we are dedicated to kids with cancer and we do local events pro bono,” Alger said. “So no cost to the families, no cost to the kids.”

The mural is an exhibit to create special memories and moments for local cancer patients like Bryana Reyes, who worked on the mural with other Sunshine Kids.

“I had Osteosarcoma, which is bone cancer,” Reyes said. “I met many other kids who had gone through the same thing as me.”

The mural was created over a period of three months, with the help of about 50 donors to make it all come true. Everyone involved hopes it inspires admirers to remember and support children who are fighting cancer in the area.  

“I think the takeaway is that anybody can be artistic, and you can bring art into so many aspects of business,” Alger said.

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