Ava's Little Heroes 2019

Official Launch: Ava’s Little Heroes 2019 supporting the HCA

Watch the official 2019 launch video: Ava's Story 

Ava's Little Heroes is an annual fundraising campaign named after Ava Patch, the daughter of Jordan and Colleen Patch, owners of Animal Adventure Park.

Ava's Little Heroes was inspired by the support, love and kindness shown to park owners Jordan and Colleen Patch in 2016, when their infant daughter Ava suffered complications from brain surgery to mitigate a cyst. An eleven-day intensive care stay, plagued by uncontrollable seizures and fevers, prompted a new diagnosis – Ava had a rare form of Epilepsy called Aicardi Syndrome. She endured dozens of seizure, on a daily basis, that hindered her development and provided a grim prognosis. Prayers were answered after a successful, life-changing brain surgery - a hemispherotomy - in October 2017. Ava has been seizure-free ever since, and making incredible progress. She will always be Colleen and Jordan’s little superhero.

The support from around the community throughout Ava’s tumultuous health journey, flooded the hearts of the Patches. They decided to pay it forward by holding an annual event in their daughter’s name to raise awareness and funds to support children battling serious medical issues. In two years, over $65,000 has been raised and gifted to local families and community initiatives.

This year, the Patch family has chose to support the HCA, a local non-profit organization that has been instrumental in Ava's therapies and progress. "We have seen, first hand, the victories achieved when receiving the services of the HCA. We can't think of a more deserving local agency, that provides services and hope to so many in our community".

More information about The Handicapped Children's Association of Southern NY, Inc.:

HCA, Helping Celebrate Abilities, has been providing services to the disabled population since 1947. What began as a small preschool for special needs children has grown into a much larger organization serving people with disabilities of all ages. These programs include 15 residential group homes, 10 integrated preschool classrooms as well as respite, habilitation, counseling, employment, and self-directed services. HCA is a NYS Cerebral Palsy Affiliate as well as a United Way Member Agency.

The campaign will last the month of September!

100% of your contributions are Tax Deductible and will go directly to The HCA!