Letter from the Executive Director
In my first two weeks as the new Executive Director of American Friends of ALYN Hospital, I have already had the privilege of speaking with many of our longtime supporters. Each conversation has offered me a glimpse into a remarkable community of people who hold ALYN close to their hearts.
Many of you first came to know ALYN through Wheels of Love. You were drawn by the opportunity to experience Israel from the seat of a bicycle, traversing its landscapes and sharing the road with fellow riders. Along the way, you discovered something even more meaningful: a mission that transforms the lives of children and families facing extraordinary challenges.
Others have a much longer history with ALYN. Some of you have supported the hospital for decades. For some families, that connection spans generations. What strikes me most is that while every story is different, they all share a common thread—a deep belief in the dignity, potential, and resilience of every child.
As a mother of three children, I find myself especially mindful of that as summer begins. Like many children, mine are eagerly anticipating days spent swimming, hiking, playing sports, and enjoying the freedom that comes with school being out. Watching their excitement reminds me that these simple experiences—movement, play, exploration, and independence—are gifts that many of us take for granted.
At ALYN, helping children access those same opportunities is at the heart of the hospital's mission. Every day, ALYN's extraordinary team works to ensure that children with physical disabilities and complex medical challenges can participate more fully in the activities that bring joy, confidence, and connection. Whether it's helping a child take their first independent steps, ride a bicycle, or join friends on the playground, ALYN is creating possibilities that extend far beyond hospital walls.
As I listen to the stories of supporters, families, and friends of ALYN, I am reminded that ALYN is far more than a hospital. It is a place of possibility. It is where innovation meets compassion, where obstacles become opportunities, and where children are empowered to achieve what others might have thought impossible.
I came to this role because I believe deeply in the power of mission-driven organizations to change lives. What I have discovered in these first weeks is that ALYN's greatest strength is not only the world-class care it provides, but also the extraordinary community of supporters, volunteers, families, and advocates who make that care possible.
Thank you for welcoming me so warmly into the ALYN family. I look forward to meeting many more of you in the months ahead, hearing your stories, and working together to ensure that ALYN continues to give children every opportunity to thrive.
If ALYN holds a special place in your heart, I would love to hear your story. Whether your connection comes through Wheels of Love, a family experience, a lifelong commitment to the hospital, or another path entirely, I hope you'll reach out. As I begin this journey, getting to know the people who make up this extraordinary community is one of the things I look forward to most.
With gratitude,
Abby Leviss
Executive Director
American Friends of ALYN Hospital
If you are in the tri-state area, please join me
July 9, 6-8pm for a Meet & Greet.
