Here at ACE the students have gathered together to create beautiful inspirational butterfly art for the Praxair cancer patients. Anyone at ACE was able to participate in this wonderful activity by signing up for Joanne’s Flex, a period where students were able to have their third block every other day to construct their creative art for the patients. This year students were able to make butterflies using any of the many decorations they could. The students used their creative imagination to make amazing butterflies that would hang in the center. John, the principal at ACE says,” The students got to touch the hearts of every Praxair patient.” When they’re delivered to the center Thursday, May 2nd by John and a few of the students at ACE. Along with the art everyone created, the students were able to write hopeful heart-warming words on their butterflies to inspire and encourage the Praxair patients. 

              In the past students were given the opportunity to have their art presented at the Praxair Center and even in the waiting room located in the Danbury Hospital. Joanne states why she started this kind of movement. “When I first stepped into Praxair, I felt the warm welcome of everyone there; it wasn’t just a center.

After feeling the care of the people there at the Praxair Center, she knew she had to give to her community.  In 2021 she started this amazing activity with the help of the ACE staff and students, to create meaningful art for not only the patients at Praxair, but for everyone to enjoy. The art would be seasonal for example snowmen and snowflakes in the winter and sunflowers and butterflies in the spring.

               This activity became more special to Joanne when her husband eventually became one of the patients at the Praxair Center. Thankfully, he also became a cancer survivor. It means the world and more to be able to give back to the Praxair Center for all they do for not just her husband but every single patient there. Joanne says ” I am delighted and it brings me happiness to be able to put a smile on every one of those faces.”