A local art teacher donated her time, passion and talent this summer bringing smiles and happiness to children with serious illnesses.
Jennifer Giannattasio, 37, works as an art teacher at Countryside School in Mt. Laurel and was recently recognized by the Board of Education for her efforts at the Ronald McDonald House of Southern New Jersey.
When one of her former students, Arianna Hensinger, who is part of the freshly formed Teen Advisory Council at the house, approached her for ideas, Giannattasio was game to contribute.
Unveiled in mid-September, the new Candyland room at the house, modeled after the classic board game, includes murals painted by Giannattasio.
“This is one of the rooms that the children actually stay in,” she said.
None of the rooms at the house resemble hotel rooms, said Teddy Thomas, executive director of the Camden location.
When the facility was built in 1998, the task of decorating was open to community involvement, Thomas said.
The result culminated in a different theme for each bedroom.
SpongeBob SquarePants. Sesame Street. Philadelphia Flyers. NASCAR. Crayola. Dr. Seuss.
“Now, Candyland is our newest (theme),” said Thomas. “It really appeals to children.”
Even better, both boys and girls love the room, she added, unlike some of the other more gender specific accommodations.
Children who stay at the Ronald McDonald House are undergoing treatments at area hospitals.
Giannattasio, who has been teaching grades pre-K to four for 11 years in Mt. Laurel, brings her experience at the house into her classroom.
A new initiative in the school is to teach Spanish, she said.
The family in the room undergoing the sweet renovation spoke Spanish, making it difficult to express that Giannattasio and her sister were almost done painting.
“This is a real life issue,” she said.
The room features pieces by Jellio, a company out of Brooklyn, N.Y., who does the iCarly sets.
Some of the company’s creations include an ice cream sandwich couch, headboards like lollipops, gingerbread dressers and ice cream cone designs.
Giannattasio’s paintings include four happy children, a lolli character and candy canes.
She painted both at home and on site over the course of a week.
“She was absolutely fantastic,” said Thomas. “She worked really well with the high school students in allowing them to describe what they wanted.”
The Teen Advisory Council was formed in January and includes high school students from several area schools. The group performs activities and promotes awareness for the house.
Earlier this year, the teens hosted a bowling championship as a fundraiser, which allowed them to create the Candyland room.
Since January, the council has grown from 27 students from 17 high schools to 41 students from 22 high schools.
Giannattasio was a perfect match for the group’s needs.
“I’ve always loved art and I’ve always loved working with kids,” she said. “We love doing it, my sister and I. We had the best time.”
“It was a great experience,” she added.
This was the first time Giannattasio had donated her talent on a grand scale, though she has sketched drawings for former students and painted murals in children’s’ rooms in the past.
Will she help the house in the future?
“Oh definitely,” she responded.
In fact, a second set of candy canes had been ordered for the room, but Jellio brought in a candy cane mirror.
Giannattasio will paint the candy canes and bring them to the home just in time to decorate for Christmas.
“She was an absolute delight to have in the Ronald McDonald House,” said Thomas.
Learn more
Visit www.ronaldhouse-snj.org to learn more about the Ronald McDonald House of Southern New Jersey.
More information about the Teen Advisory Council can be garnered under the “volunteer” link.
The facility is located at 550 Mickle Boulevard in Camden.
