Arabella's Heart Endowment Fund

This fund was started in July of 2014 by Jennifer and Stephen Orlevitch, and their daughter Josette, following the death of their daughter and sister Arabella. The purpose of the fund is for the Orlevitch family to recommend grants to provide support for charities related to pediatric cardiac illness and sudden death, food allergy and anaphylaxis, and activities that were close to Arabella's heart. These included Peoria Academy, TAPS No Kill Animal Shelter, Cross Country, Golf, and Swimming. Grants may also be made to support scholarships for students interested in these same activities.

July, 2019 - It is difficult to comprehend that it has been five years since Arabella suddenly and tragically died due to a congenital heart condition. It seems like just a moment ago that Arabella was blossoming into a wonderful, talented young lady with a zest for life and endless love for family, friends and God's creatures great and small.  Arabella's Heart Fund was developed to keep Arabella's memory alive by donating to causes that were close to her heart, like other children and animals. Over the last five years Arabella's Heart fund has done wonderful things, with continuing support to The Children's Hospital Congenital Heart Center and TAPS no-kill animal shelter.

Most recently, Arabella's Heart Fund has collaborated with Ronald McDonald house Charities of Central Illinois to design and build an amazing toy /play room within the new Ronald Mcdonald House being constructed in Peoria. This will be a magical place, where children receiving care at Children's Hospital can get away for a moment and just be a child and not a patient. They will be able to choose and keep a toy and play in a home away from home.

Please help us to continue this great work and keep Arabella's memory alive in all of our HEARTS with a gift to the endowment (scroll to bottom of page) to help us continue supporting things like the Arabella’s Toy Store at Ronald McDonald House in Peoria and other charitable causes that were near and dear to Arabella.

Below is a Facebook LIVE video that was posted on Thursday, July 18, 2019. Dr. Steve Orlevitch was being interviewed by Kelly Thompson, CEO of Ronald McDonald Charities of Central Illinois, while standing in front of the construction site for Ronald McDonald House and Arabella’s Toy Store.

If you would like to make a tax deductible donation to this fund, please click the button below for online donations.  Be sure to designate the Arabella's Heart Fund.  Or, you can mail a check to 135 S First Ave, Morton, IL 61550.