Testimonials
Video testimonial from The I-Hope Academy in Harlem, New York
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Video testimonial from Frederick Memorial Hospital after they received 80 murals thanks to the Rotary Club Carroll Creek:
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Splashes of Hope has been around for 21 years. Check out this compelling story back in 2010:
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"Child Life is here to help patients understand their illness, decrease anxiety and cope with being in the hospital. Our specialists seek to make the hospital a "not-so-scary" place for children. They use play, recreation, and music to provide opportunities for our patients to cope with and express their feelings. [Splashes of Hope] offer[s] our therapists the opportunity to engage our patients in conversation and in play. For your support of their efforts, we are most grateful."
-Lynnsey T. Belsome. Director of Donor Relations, Children's Hospital of New Orleans
"On behalf of the Department of Veteran Affairs New Jersey Healthcare System, East Orange Campus patients and staff, we would like to extend our appreciation to you for your donation of hand-painted, custom designed murals for our Veterans. Your thoughtfulness reflects the concern that you feel for our Veterans and the service they provide to all of us while in service for our country. The paintings display a comfort for our Veterans by providing a calming and inspiring visual focus. Our patients understand how important the support of the community is to their recovery process. Your support and commitment have served to let them know how much they are appreciated."
-Vincent F. Immitti. Director, Department of Veteran Affairs New Jersey Healthcare System
"I can't thank you all enough for the beautiful, eye-catching and uplifting murals you and your talented team created for us at NYC Health + Hospitals/ Queens Department of Pediatrics. We had worked with your organization before so we knew we wouldn't be disappointed - but the art you brought and installed today exceeded expectations. The phlebotomy room and sub-waiting area outside now look fresh, inviting, and cheerful. I am certain it will provide endless visual entertainment for our smallest patients and their families."
-Marcy Stein Albert. M.D., Director of Pediatrics Department, Queens Hospital Center
"Splashes of Hope created a seamless experience, offering a creative collaboration between a local corporation and our hospital. [Splashes of Hope] and the staff of artists were very sensitive and attentive to our request for specific imagery for one of our pediatric units. A pleasure to work with and a wonderful solution to bringing art into healthcare environments."
-Kyle McDonald, C-IAYT, MFA, Healing Arts Coordinator Lifespan, Hasbro Children’s Hospital
"The Splashes of Hope Team perfectly captured the essence of our rehabilitation mission- to return patients to doing, being, and living following spinal cord injury. The team fully immersed themselves in our rehab culture to create beautiful, abstract pieces that will inspire our patients for decades to come. They worked tirelessly to create our unique, abstract murals and we couldn't be more pleased with the finished products! Thank you Splashes of Hope!"
-Danielle Housman, OTR/L, OTD, CLT, Rehab Educator, University of Utah Rehabilitation Center
"The mural is magnificent! It will greatly add to the aesthetics and quality of life of our residents."
-Kelley J. Kash, Colonel, USAF, MSC (Retired) Chief Executive Officer, Maine Veterans Home
"A huge thank you to you both and the rest of your staff and volunteers who worked on the Preschool Outreach Program project! You really transformed our space there. [We] were blown away by what you all were able to do in the space. We really loved everything you all did in the space!"
- Chelsea Gordon -- Manager of Volunteer & Community Engagement, The Home for Little Wanderers."
"As a Child Life Specialist, it is my job to help lower children's anxieties and fears and create a sense of normalcy to all of those who are affected. Thanks to the visits and donations of generous organizations and individuals such as you, I am able to make chemotherapy treatments, clinic visits and hospital stays, a brighter and happier experience for my patients and their families. Though it may seem like a small token to some people, it is actually much more than that. Not only did you provide these children with an experience of a lifetime, you also created a memory for each one of their families that will live forever."
- Lauren Sharaby -- MS, CCLS Certified Child Life Specialist Department of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Stony Brook Children's Hospital
"From the initial email to the hug goodbye, the entire “Splashes of Hope” experience was not only positive, but memorable. [The Splashes of Hope Team] conducted themselves professionally in every way and were an absolute delight to be around. The murals they designed greatly exceeded our expectations and the special little touches were heart-warming. These brightly colored, kid-friendly paintings completely transformed these treatment rooms. They have created a great escape and distraction for our kiddos that need it the most. These art pieces will surely bring smiles and peace for our patients, their families and our staff for many years to come. Our Children’s Hospital staff at UMC greatly appreciates you"!
- Erica Nansen -- Volunteer Program and Community Relations Supervisor
On behalf of Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center’s administration, the Good Samaritan Hospital Foundation Board of Trustees, and those we serve, please accept our sincere appreciation for your creation and installation of beautiful “I-spy” murals and ceiling tiles for Good Samaritan’s Pediatric Subspecialty Center. These murals will not only bring peace and hope to our young patients and their families, but they will also be a tool that our clinicians can use while providing care.
Your generosity and support is humbling and deeply appreciated. Thank you for all that you do as an organization to bring color and beauty into our clinical world!"
- Kelly Albanese Scherer –- Executive Director The Good Samaritan Hospital Foundation
"Thank you and the entire Splashes of Hope team for splashing Flushing Hospital Medical Center. Being splashed has been such an amazing experience from the site visit to funding and installation! Thank you for all your hard work and dedication to transform our pediatric unit into a brighter, inspirational and welcoming space. Each mural is beautiful, intricate and different; serving as a wonderful therapeutic and distraction tool for our patients, families and staff. Children have enjoyed walking around to look for the dog with a cast, or the winking elephant, family of monkeys or the number of birds or different kinds of animals. Thank you again for all you have done for our facility and the positive impact you have continued to spread throughout hospitals with your artwork!"
- Rashmi Momaya, CCLS – Pediatrics, Flushing Hospital Medical Center
"Thank you so much for what you have done for our family. You gave us a gift that we literally could never give to Sophia. Looking at our mural gives us pure joy. And its a moment in Sophia’s life frozen in time. That at this time in her life these were Sophia’s favorite things. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts."
- The Resti Family
Thank *you* as well for having us and for all the hard work and setup that you did for this assignment. We definitely had a blast and would love to work with Splashes of Hope again in the future; your team does excellent and much needed work, and I’m honored to have been a part of it. Thanks for the images and would love to see how it develops.
- Elle Cardenas –Sr. Designer, Salesforce
The Carol Baldwin Breast Cancer Center got Splashed recently! From the first visit until the installation of the murals, it was such a pleasure working with Heather and Sarah from Splashes of Hope. Our artist, Sarah, worked so hard to make the local scenes perfect. She created three beautifully detailed murals beyond our expectations. Our three mammography rooms were very dreary and cold. Now each mural, with their own beautiful colors and details, truly brighten up the rooms, giving patients something pleasant to look at during their exam. Patients are truly enjoying them. It is so awesome that Splashes of Hope helps so many people through their art. Thank you for all the good work that you do!
- Donna Spolar – The Carol Baldwin Breast Cancer Center at Stony Brook
Thank you and the entire Splashes of Hope team for the beautiful murals that were installed yesterday!!!!! The positive reaction of our veterans and staff to the new murals is overwhelming!!! They love them!!! The colorful and lively iconic scenes of Long Island landmarks bring the program room to life evoking warm memories for our veterans. The water scenes with families at Jones Beach and Montauk Point are quickly becoming favorites, and the Stony Brook Grist Mill winter scene is also a fan favorite. The fireworks mural evokes patriotic pride, and of course all the American flags skillfully placed on each mural remind us of the precious freedom our veterans fought to protect. Thank you again for all you have done for our facility and our veterans, we salute you and your entire staff!
- Jean Brand, MS, LMSW, LNHA, Program Director, Adult Day Health Care – Long Island State Veterans Home, November
The painting is so inspiring and transformative to the space in our waiting area. Our nurses say that they just want to keep staring in that direction. Other staff have already started to come up with other interesting suggestions to improve the milieu now that they see this is possible. The care and compassion in crafting the mural comes through so clearly and we hope this can imbue our patients and our staff. We are so grateful to your team for your professionalism and skill and Ms. Santmann for her tremendous generosity. We are so looking forward to the next stage of the installment!
- Amit Rajparia, MD, Director, Psychiatric Emergency Services – Bellevue Hospital Center
The Serenity Park Mural designed by Splashes of Hope for Brookdale’s Child Psychiatric Inpatient Unit is Exceptional. The design captures a picturesque outdoor scene that is soothing and calming for patients, staff, and visitors. Accolades to the professional artists that share their talents with those in need.
Larissa H. Hall LCAT, ATR-BC – Department of Psychiatry, Brookdale University Hospital and Medical Center
You would not believe our indoor arena….MAGNIFICENT comes to mind right now!.
I believe that this was and will be one of the most impactful projects to date. As individuals were riding past on their horses….they just stopped and began to cry….all afternoon. The murals are evoking so much emotion in all.
As I was coming down the driveway this morning, all your eyes are drawn to are those paintings and on a beautiful sunny day like today-the way they are shining is remarkable. I am so grateful to everyone for making this happen as we celebrate our 20th year in existence – our story is now told all over the property!
THANK YOU!
- Lisa Gatti – Founder & Executive Director, Pal-O-Mine Equestrian, Inc.
The mural is outstanding! We are extremely appreciative of the way your artists helped us to capture the essence of SIBSPlace and the patience and care you took with each of our participants as they put a “bit” of themselves into this creative process. What family would not upon first impression feel completely comfortable bringing their child to our program? If they looked closely they would see all of the therapeutic expressive arts activities that we offer to reduce anxiety and increase coping skills. The use of vibrant color will captivate all who pass by- and upon reflection they will feel that SIBS must be a place where any child could benefit.
Thank you for all the work that you do to inspire and delight.
- Suzanne Kornblatt, LMSW – Director of SIBSPlace and Child Life
Everyone in the hospital is talking about it, people on the floors above us have gotten off the elevator to lets us know that seeing the mural brightens their day! You have brought some healing to the hospital!
- Alan Schlechter, MD – Director, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Outpatient Clinic at Bellevue Hospital, Department of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, NYU School of Medicine
I’ve come to realize that “hope” can be defined in many different ways by many different people. Its comprehension spans many levels but it’s a destination that we all have in mind when things are not going well in our lives. Hope is that fixed point a person can focus on that’s obtainable, a source of energy that we cling to when darkness surrounds us. Hope is that thing that reminds us of whom we are and where we came from, much like the murals on the VA walls. Many veterans come to the VA with an illness that might be physical, mental or substance related, seeking hope and faith that they can recover. Splashes Hope helps us to see a better outcome, replenish our spirit and remind us that this is not a sterile, cold and depressing hospital; but a place that welcomes you and starts the healing process the moment you walk through the door.
- Veteran/Staff Member – Northport VA Medical Center
I am writing on behalf of all of staff at Flushing Hospital Medical Center NICU. We would like to thank you for the incredible murals that have been painted to enhance our NICU environment. The colors are perfect and they add beauty to our bland walls. We do not have any windows on the unit, so this makes our families feel more at ease and puts a smile on their faces. One mother, whose baby has been with us for two months, commented on the serenity and wonderful feeling it gives her each time she visits. I feel as if life has been added to the unit and the saying, “Miracles Happen Here” that is atop of the window truly depicts our motto! Your staff has been a pleasure to work with…adaptable, sweet and so talented. Thank you from the entire NICU staff at FHMC.
- Maria Smilios MS, ACNS-BC, RNC-OB, IBCLC – Director of Nursing, Flushing Hospital Medical Center
I just wanted to say thank you so much for this beautiful work of art in our clinic. It is already making such a difference for the children and families that have come in to see it. People are even holding the elevator doors open as they pass to take an extra moment to bask in its beauty. Staff are thrilled for it to be here, and some have even stopped and reflected on their memories of being in central park, where the bridge is in the painting. Words can not express the amount of gratitude we have for your contribution to transforming our area “from clinical to Colorful”!
- Simone Watson – Associate Director, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Bellevue Hospital Center
I simply wanted to thank you all again so very much for all of the hard work and coordination splashing our unit! It looks absolutely beautiful. So many families have noticed the improvement already! I know the time spent at our site was not the most relaxing, as so many last minute changes took place. However, please know that your openness and flexibility is completely appreciated. Mr. Sullivan and Ms. Moorehead (Dir. of Environmental Services) remain excited for additional work on the Oncology side of the unit, which is great news.
- Angela Barimah, MS, CCLS – Certified Child Life Specialist, Pediatrics, Wyckoff Heights Medical Center
We’ve had a universally positive response from our patients and their families who found the new absolutely beautiful creative signs comforting and helpful as they made their way to our department. In addition, the children and their parents love the new decorative ceiling tiles and paintings that were hung in the pediatric fluoro room, as they really help to provide distraction during the various fluoroscopic imaging procedures that are most often quite frightening for the patients and their families. The underwater scene works well in this setting as it does in the main Section of Pediatric Radiology. I can assure you that there isn’t a family who does not comment on how beautiful and comforting the surroundings are and how much they appreciate the thoughtfulness that went into creating a fantasy environment that serves to allay their fears as much as possible. Combined with the opportunity for the children to watch videos and get a reward including lollipops and stickers, a scary experience is often turned into one that is fun, cozy, friendly, and family oriented.
- Henrietta Kotlus Rosenberg, MD, FACR, FAAP – Director of Pediatric Radiology, Mount Sinai Medical Center
I was over the Norman house this past week and want to thank you and the artists for the beautiful mural in the Hallway. The whole house looks so much brighter. As always you added smiles to all that live there.
Keep on splashing!
- Renee Csajka – Program Supervisor for UCP Suffolk
This thank you is long overdue… But, it felt right to send this to you on the one year anniversary that we were touched by your organization.
It was at this time last year, I was sitting in a hospital crib with my beautiful 18 month old son. Thinking back to that time brings tears to my eyes, because it was one of the only times in my life that I felt completely helpless.
Our son, Tyler had been acting lethargic throughout the day on 12/30/2013. At the time, I monitored him closely and just assumed he was coming down with a virus or the flu. It was not until I noticed his stomach retracting and breathing becoming labored that I became alarmed and rushed him to Huntington hospital. When we arrived, his oxygen was at 80% and the doctor informed us that she was concerned about how weak and lethargic he appeared. She informed us that if there were no improvements made within the hour that they would have to test him for meningitis. I remember my heart sinking to the ground and a feeling of crippling fear overcoming my entire body. The next few hours would prove to be the longest hours of my life. But, by God’s grace, tests revealed that Tyler did not have meningitis. He had the RSV virus which in many ways mimicked the symptoms of Meningitis.
Tyler was admitted to the hospital for four nights where he was quarantined while receiving oxygen and steroid treatments. My husband and I were with him around the clock and I can’t even count how many deals with God I made for those few days. They were the longest four days of our lives.
As I sat in his hospital crib with him, we would look up at the ceiling and admire painted murals directly above us. I would point them out to him and for a few moments we would share a smile together and forget that we were in the hospital. At the time, I remember thinking to myself ” I wonder who painted these beautiful murals?”
On our second day in the hospital, when I was having a moment of sadness, one of the nurses walked in with a life size stuffed puppy dog, coloring book and monkey puppet. The look of excitement on Tyler’s face as they handed over that stuffed animal was priceless. I remember crying tears of joy as I watched him cuddle that dog. At the time, I had no idea who could have sent such thoughtful gifts to us. That is until, I looked at the puppet.. There in colorful writing, it read ‘Splashes of Hope.’ The nurse proceeded to tell me that this wonderful organization donates toys to the hospital as well as paints the murals on the walls in the pediatric unit.
Throughout our time at the hospital, Tyler was showered with beautiful gifts from this incredible organization and it was because of their generosity, compassion, thoughtfulness, commitment and dedication, that we were able to get through those four days.
Simply put.. Splashes of Hope changed our lives… Forever… Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for giving our beautiful baby his smile back while we were in the hospital. Thank you for taking the time to care.. Thank you for delivering on your promise: ” Splashes of Hope” is a non-profit organization dedicated to transform healthcare environments, enrich and facilitate healing through artwork.”
We will forever be grateful for all you have done for our family! You are truly incredible…..
- The Okin Family
In allegato i disegni eseguiti dagli artisti della organizzazione Splashes of Hope nel raparto multidisciplinare chirurgico.
Un grazie sentito a chi ha collaborato affinche’ questo dono giungesse ai bambini ricoverati nella speranza che sia possibile completare l’opera con pannelli in tutto il reparto.
- Inserra Alessandro – Direttore U.O.C. Chirurgia Generale e Toracica, Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesu’ (Italy)
The entire project has been a wonderful experience for our registrants and staff. The murals offer our registrants a unique opportunity to enjoy the beauty of the outdoors even when they are inside for the day. The smiles on the faces of our registrants speak for themselves, they are absolutely transformed by the murals!
- Fred Sganga – Executive Director, Long Island State Veterans Home at Stony Brook University
Staff and families have comment how different the space looks since the addition of the murals. It has brought color, cheer, and child friendly feel to the area. It’s always a lovely feeling stepping into the room since the murals have gone up, THANK YOU!
- Andi Nyiradi – Certified Child Life Specialist, Mission Hospital
The mural that was created brightens up an area that our children use for therapeutic recreational activities and play. They are continually drawn to the mural and like to “spot” different details.
- Jon Feingold – Executive Director, The Hagedorn Little Village School
Children, especially, are delighted by (the) entry mural. They love the details at their level of vision: the dog, the bluebird, and (I think most of all!) the ladybug.
- Barbara LaPlaca – Vice President Communications and Outreach, The Floating Hospital, Inc.
Thank you so much for donating the colorful packages of coloring books and puppets to the Pediatric Unit at Huntington Hospital. It was very thoughtful of all of you to take the time from your busy schedule to bring these gifts for our patients to enjoy. It helps to make their stay a more pleasant one and puts a smile on the children’s faces.
- NSLIJ - Huntington Hospital, Pediatrics Unit
Having the murals is a great way to encourage our patients to walk in the halls- count the elephants, find the monkey named Mike, etc. and it works! It’s been a great way to get our post op patients out of bed in the hall walking. We ask them to count the birds, or find the elephant with the bandaide, ect.
- Christie Bussard – Pediatrics Manager, Frederick Memorial Hospital
So many sick/injured children arrive in a state of panic, but when they see all the beautiful jungle scenes, they are immediately distracted from their pain. For those who must remain in the hospital for an extended visit, they can spend countless hours noticing all the details on each panel that you painted. Thank you for the wonderful work you do. I wish you every success. You make people smile.
- Mike Eshbaugh – Pediatrics Volunteer, Frederick Memorial Hospital
My 14-year-old daughter is currently hospitalized at Frederick Memorial Hospital in Maryland and while she’s been here, the pediatric wing is being “Splashed”. I can’t tell you how much the beautiful artwork has done to raise her spirits. She loves walking around the corridor to look at all of the beautiful murals. There is so much detail and so much to see in each one that you can look at them several times, and each time you see something new that you didn’t see before. I know that art can help so much in the healing process and you’ve made the unit here so cheerful that it gives the kids a very positive feeling and it provides a distraction to take their minds off of their medical issues. It’s wonderful for the patients, but also for the families who are worried about their children. It truly helps to ease anxiety and make us feel more positive. It’s been wonderful being able to watch the artists at work as well. What you do really does make a difference. Thank you for that and keep up the great work!
- Karen Millison – Mother of Hospitalized Child
I love my splash and it makes my room brighter and it makes me happy. My painting describes things I love!
- Taylor – Wish Child
We are thankful for the time and effort you put not only into Taylor’s painting, but for all the sick children around the world. It’s such a warming feeling to know you put smiles on their faces!
- Michelle & Family – Mother of Taylor, Wish Child
For more than twenty years, I have had the privilege of witnessing first hand the magic that occurs at Hospice Care Network as the tiniest of hearts struggle through their grief. I had the honor of meeting Heather Buggee who shared another kind of magic. She transformed our counseling space of sterile white walls to a wonder filled place of sailboats, friendly animals, a lifelike tree and even messages of hope hidden in the clouds on the ceiling. We are forever grateful to our friends at Splashes of Hope for sharing their visions with us and for the generosity of Trying for Kids for making this transformation possible.
- Mary Gravina – Hospice Care Network Staff
ACLD is thrilled to be the recipient of a beautiful mural created by Splashes for Hope at our new Alan and Ellen Spiegel Children’s Center in Bay Shore. The mural which is themed “Under the Sea” was funded by Tri-ing for Kids. ACLD operates an afterschool program for children with disabilities. The children and staff are enjoying the mural and the children love to label and talk about the fish and ocean life. Thanks to the creativity and talent of the artists at Splashes for Hope and the generosity of Tri-ing for Kids the entrance to our school is cheerful, bright and inviting and makes a wonderful first impression to our guests. Thank you.
- Noreen Clemens – Principal, ACLD Alan & Ellen Spiegel Children’s Center
Everyone loves our Splashes of Hope murals! They make the pediatric floor so much more comforting and inviting for patients, families, and staff. The beautiful beach and water scenes are a welcome diversion from hospital stressors. Additionally, Child Life Specialists are able to utilize the murals to play “I spy” games with patients to help them cope with pain and difficult procedures and treatments. The murals really lift the mood of the whole floor!
- Janis Atty – Child Life Specialist, Brookdale University Medical Center
We would like to thank Heather Buggee and her team for adding artistic expression into his life. Your creative mural will capture his love of music and bring him much joy and laughter. Even though Brody will always have many obstacles to face through out his life, you have fulfilled his dreams of being a Rock Star! He loves to spend time in his room and use his creative imagination to sing songs, but now this will take him to a whole new level.
- Jill Flynn & Family - Mother of Young Splash Star
Thank You Splashes of Hope for putting smiles on a million faces that see your art work daily! AND Especially we are thankful for the beautiful Mural that Sandy painted for my son Nate during his illness. We will never forget the act of kindness that made our road a little lighter during a very difficult time.
- Melissa Senra – Wish Child’s mother
Because of you and your thoughtful team, Long Island Veterans (from WWII to those coming home from the war today) have been warmly touched by the peaceful and beautiful nature scenes painted on our main corridors by Splashes of Hope’s very talented and caring Diana Fogarty.
- Joe Sledge – Public Affairs Officer, Northport VA Medical Center
The delightful underwater scene in our treatment room creates a diversion during special procedures and is a very effective coping strategy.”
- Richard N. Fine, MD –Professor and Chairman Department of Pediatrics, Stony Brook University Medical Center
Your organization has transformed the Children’s Medical Center at Stony Brook from a white-walled ‘hospital’ environment to a brilliantly picturesque, fun atmosphere, which helps to reduce the stress associated with illness or injury.”
- Children;s Medical Center at Stony Brook
You can’t help but smile when you see this picture! Our kids, the weather, the horse, the vibrant color and your magnificent piece of art… Who would ever think that a horse trailer could look so beautiful!
I wanted to thank you again for doing such a wonderful job on the Pol-O-Mine trailer. Your art represents our mission perfectly and I could not have asked for anything more. The trailer comes alive as you look at it; as if it was teling stories of our kids and their equine partners.
- Pal-O-Mine Equestrian, Inc.
When Splashes of Hope worked its miracles on just a few of our walls in Pediatric Ambulatory Area it made a world of difference for our kids and staff. The exam room that you transformed with your paints and brushes continues to elicit big toothy smiles and wide eyes from everyone who enters.
- Nassau County Medical Center
The artwork that Splashes of Hope created truly transformed the space. A once cold, sterile, unfriendly room is now a beautiful, warm place for survivors to receive care. The artwork also provides relief for the staff caring for the patients. Your time and dedication to our program will never be forgotten.
- VIBS Family Violence and Rape Crisis Center
We at Little Flower consider ourselves truly fortunate to have been ‘Splashed’ again. The lovely, colorful and serene paintings recently hung in out infirmary are absolutely lovely. They fit perfectly in terms of size and in setting a tone for an ordinarily busy, place frequented by the children and young in our care.
Often the youth are in less than good mood when they have to go to the infirmary. Now as they enter the building they are met by beautiful seascapes and other pleasing and calming scenes. Kudos and many thanks to the artists and the Splashes of Hope for brightening our children’s environment!
- Little Flower Orphanage
Without a doubt, our staff and visitors alike have commented on how the two pieces have transformed the lobby area and family waiting room. They certainly have been transformation in helping to create a soothing and welcoming atmosphere.
- John P. Broder – Vice President- External Affairs and Development, Winthrop
You and your team not only brought your talents and enthusiasm but, you also bought a sense of imagination and the vision needed to make these works of art become reality.
- Michael Bausman – Director of Facilities Resources, Give Kids the World
Your work is truly beautiful and fills our home with love, laughter and hope every day! Words alone cannot express what fills our hearts each and every time our son talks about his wish trip or we see a picture of smiling faces that we took while we were in Florida. The memories were amazing! Not only did Cooper receive such a blessed gift, but our whole family did. The mural that was created for our boys to capture our wish trip is such an incredible gift. Your time to get to know our family and the love that you put into your work shines through. You are not only gifted and talented artists, but agents of change. What you give to people through your art is magical.
- The Knorr Brown Family – Family of Wish Child
Your artwork really brightens up the hospital and will undoubtedly help to bring joy and comfort to the children and families at Brookdale. Being in the hospital can be very upsetting for children and many of our patients and families are under a great deal of stress. However, your murals help to create a more soothing, relaxing environment, making hospital experiences a little easier for pediatric patients, their families, and the staff who are for them.
- Kusum Viswanathan, MD – Vice Chair, Department of Pediatrics & Director, Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Brookdale University Medical Center
The murals have brightened the walls of our pediatric unit. The children and the parents love looking at them as they walk up and down the halls. They have commented on the fact that they are such beautiful scenes of Staten Island. The children love looking at the ceiling tiles as they are transferred in their stretcher to a test room or the OR. The front door is so welcoming and colorful. Staff from throughout the hospital have commented on its beauty. Thank you for all of your hard work.
- Kathleen DiMauro, RN-BC, MS, LBCLC – AVP Women & Children’s Services
Thank you for the amazing mural you painted for me. I will treasure it always. Every time I look at it I will be reminded of the kindness and happiness that went into it.
- Dylan Cetin – Wish Child
Children use the murals as a distraction tool during procedures. They look for things within the mural as they are waiting to be seen in our clinic. One little boy was fascinated with the mural of the cars on the West Side Highway and would count the cars over and over again with his dad as he waited. I think that helped to keep this child focused and entertained as he waited.
- Sonia Lugo – Child Life Specialist, Mount Sinai Medical Center
We know the benefits of art therapy and the power of the arts to heal. Since its inception in 1996, Splashes of Hope and its dedicated group of volunteers and artists have worked to create beautiful, therapeutic murals in hospitals that help patients during their treatment, healing and recovery. I thank founder Heather Buggée for her vision and determination that enabled the organization to grow from its beginnings at one hospital to its work today receiving mural requests from facilities throughout the United States and the world.
- Hillary Rodham Clinton – United States Senator
The murals are very calming and comforting to patients, families, and staff. The addition of the murals made the pediatric floor so much more welcoming and really brightened the mood of the unit. Our Child Life Specialists have been able to use the murals to play “I-Spy” games with pediatric patients as a diversion from pain and other stressors of hospitalization.
- Janis Atty – Senior Child Life Specialist and Creative Arts Therapist, Brookdale University Medical Center
Splashes of Hope delivers hope with color and whimsy, and artistic expression that allows those most in need to be transported, mentally and emotionally, to another place, another world, one populated by beautiful things from nature, fairy tales and beyond. Benjamin Moore is proud that the Splashes of Hope murals are delivered to those in need with our paint, that walls and doors are transformed with our colors.
- Eileen McComb – Director of Corporate Communications, Benjamin Moore Paints
The murals have made such an impact on our inpatient pediatric unit and our PICU. I see families walking around just to look at all of the different scenes that we have on our walls. Children have fun with the images, we have a bear as our theme for our pediatric unit and they count how many bears they find. Children and families that were here before we were renovated are amazed at the transformation. Queens is a very tight knit community and they have such amazing diversity and places within it. While the murals were going up, staff and patients became very involved in the project and it was wonderful because they really understood the process and at times were able to participate with them. At this time, in my opinion Pediatrics has the most beautiful unit in the hospital.
- Alisha Rappaport – Director of Child Life, New York Hospital Queens – Inpatient Pediatric Unit & PICU
We at Little Flower consider ourselves truly fortunate to have been Splashed again. The lovely, colorful and serene paintings recently hung in our infirmary are absolutely lovely. They fit perfectly in terms of size and in setting a tone for an ordinarily busy, place frequented by the children and youth in our care. Often the youth are in less than good mood when they have to go to the infirmary. Now as they enter the building they are met by beautiful seascapes and other pleasing and calming scenes. Kudos and many thanks to the artists and to Splashes of Hope for brightening our children’s environment!
- Grace Lo Grande – Executive Director, Little Flower Children and Family Services of New York
The underwater-themed mural is soothing for our developmentally delayed students who cannot tolerate overwhelming sensory input. The Tree house mural is playful and full of life. This is perfect for our active physical education classes.
- Eileen DiLauro – Principal, Tyree Learning Center