Teen art contest winner donates prize money to Haley's Playground

The awesome things teenagers do never cease to amaze me.

After the winners of the Aurora Public Library's Art of Technology contest were announced at the March First Friday event in downtown Aurora, I made my way through the crowd at If These Walls Could Talk to chat with some of the winners.

Sisters Natalia and Karolina Hrehorowicz were two winners in the high school division. Karolina, 15, won the second prize of $250, and Natalia, 14, won $125 for third place.

"What are you going to do with the money?" I asked.

Karolina said she wasn't quite sure, but her eyes lit up when I asked her if she might buy art supplies. Natalia didn't hesitate before answering, "I am donating my prize money to Haley's Playground."

Both girls volunteer at Haley's Playground, a nonprofit organization that provides a safe environment for individuals with physical, cognitive and social disabilities. Its mission is to improve quality of life through play, exercise, activity and health education.

Haley's Playground began in the North Aurora Activity Center four years ago, but now is located at Keeler Center at 409 New Indian Trail Court next to Hope Wall School on Aurora's west side. Haley's Playground founder and president Jackie Olson hopes to soon move into a larger space that will be in a more central location.

Both Hrehorowicz girls are involved in a fundraiser for Haley's Playground on May 2 and 3. In fact, they are more that just involved. They are organizing it (with help from their mom, Aneta Cop).

I spoke with Aneta when I visited Haley's Playground on Saturday, March 14.

"I was looking for some community service opportunities for my girls to do," Aneta said. "Natalia had mentioned she would like to be an elementary school teacher. When I found the Haley's Playground website, I called and asked if they were accepting volunteers."

Of course, Olson, mom of the playground's namesake, Haley, said yes.

"High school students have to have community service hours, so they call me all the time," Jackie said. She has accepted volunteers from East and West Aurora high schools as well as Metea, the school the Hrehorowicz girls attend, and many others.

The help is welcome, Jackie said, because kids who come to Haley's Playground need one-on-one attention.

She added that today's volunteers may become tomorrow's teachers, doctors, social workers and perhaps even parents of special needs children.

The indoor playground is full of fun things to do, including two inflatable jumping houses, a swing, musical instruments, exercise equipment, a climbing wall and more. There also is a low-lit, quiet room for children who need to take a break from the activity.

Jackie said some children ask for volunteers Karolina and Natalia, which shows her how well they are able to connect with them. She also said the girls are committed and enthusiastic. "They bring a lot of energy into the room, and I can tell they are there because they want to be… not just for the community service hours," Jackie said.

"They're dedicated, their hearts are in it and it motivates them to continue and strive further. When people see the need and the difference we are making and they see that every little bit helps the program grow, they support it."

Because Haley's Playground is a 501(c) 3 organization, donations and fundraisers are its only source of income. There is no charge for anyone to use Haley's Playground, and it offers programs for those ages 2 to 30.

That is why the May 2 and 3 fundraiser that the Hrehorowicz girls are organizing is so important.

"Ace it for Autism" is set for 7 a.m.to 8 p.m. May 2 and 3 at Great Lakes Volleyball Center, 579 N. Oakhurst Drive on Aurora's far east side. There will be games, raffles and a silent auction. To make a donation or learn more about the fundraiser, call 630-777-5045 or 630-450-0763.

Dave Hendrix of North Aurora brings his son, Ryan, 8, to Haley's Playground on Saturday mornings.

"It's really nice to have a place for him to play," Hendrix said. "He's much more social now between the therapies he has and coming here. But this is a chance for him to not only socialize, but in the winter, to let off some steam."

Nico Ocon, 11, was having a blast jumping in a bounce house and mugging for the camera. His dad, Junior, said Haley's Playground is good for his son because his older brothers, 22 and 19, don't have a lot of time to hang out with him. "He doesn't get to play much with other kids," Junior said. "It's a little different to play with him. But to bring him here on Saturdays is great. At home, we have dogs, but he gets bored. He wants to interact with other kids."

Dance, gymnastics, swimming and soccer all are part of the fun. Upcoming programs will include yoga, cooking and fine arts. Self-care skills including tooth-brushing and face-washing, also will be taught, all by volunteers. (Olson, an occupational therapist, teaches, but she takes no salary for the work she does.) There are also birthday party and field trip opportunities. Teens have their own night and adults have their own time as well.

Natalia is the volleyball player of the two Hrehorowicz sisters (hence the connection to Great Lakes Volleyball Center), while Karolina is the "true artist," according to them both.

"I was born with the artistic ability," Karolina said. (She designed the Ace it for Autism logo for the fundraiser.) Her entry in the art contest was a computer graphics project for school titled "Chandelier." Natalia's entry was a black-and-white photograph titled, "Changed my Life."

While Natalia is donating her winnings to Haley's Playground, Karolina purchased an art desk with half of the money and put the rest into a college account. She hopes to study art and become a cartoonist/animator, but she also loves her genetics class and may give some thought to a career as a geneticist.

Natalia is still mulling becoming a teacher, or, perhaps a lawyer. Olson was surprised to hear that Natalia would donate her winnings to Haley's Playground. But it also made sense to her. "When people can see the positive outcomes from Haley's Playground, they want to donate and make it even better," she said.

For more information about Haley's Playground, check out their website: http://haleysplayground.com/