Learn about us and our work
What AOLC Does
Why Donate to AOLC
What AOLC Does
AOLC is a volunteer-run 501(c)3 tax-exempt registered nonprofit
(TIN# 87-1795098) serving Virginia, Maryland and D.C, USA.
MISSION
"Employing the Arts to Support Communities in Need"
GOALS
AOLC supports non-profits and organizations who are doing good work for people in need, by financially aiding them in their missions through the arts. B
AOLC is a volunteer-run 501(c)3 tax-exempt registered nonprofit
(TIN# 87-1795098) serving Virginia, Maryland and D.C, USA.
MISSION
"Employing the Arts to Support Communities in Need"
GOALS
AOLC supports non-profits and organizations who are doing good work for people in need, by financially aiding them in their missions through the arts. By providing programming and fundraising events for select beneficiaries, AOLC uplifts, unites and enriches the community of those in need and beyond.
In 2022, we were pleased to select our first beneficiary: Therapeutic Adventures. The inaugural gala event was held on September 17 at Madison at the Mill in Orange, VA. The gala was an inspirational evening filled with lots of entertainment, great food, music, auction items, amazing people and love and we raised over $11,000. for TA!
In 2023, we repeated the amazing evening at the Hylton Performing Arts Center, this time with American Idol finalist, Aaron Kelly, and local Poet Laureate, Kim B Miller, performing. We raised over $14,000 for Haymarket Regional Food Pantry!
And in 2024 we were thrilled to raise $21,000 for Boxes of Basics, a Virginia-based non-profit that provides clothing to children in need.
In 2025 and 2026 AOLC is providing free enriching art workshops for senior citizens living with dementia and Alzheimer's Disease and
At-Risk Youth. Teenager volunteers work alongside adult volunteers and senior residents to bridge the generational gap with storytelling and community.
Our first Art Show Fundraiser was on May 2, 2026, at the ARTfactory in Manassas, VA.
The Stories of the Future Gala will be at the Grand Magnoliya in Manassas, VA on Saturday, November 21, 2026, to benefit Literacy Volunteers of America - Prince William. Please join us and get your tickets HERE!
Who AOLC Helps
Why Donate to AOLC
What AOLC Does
AOLC helps people with food & housing security; diversity, equity and inclusion; mental health and wellness, special health needs and more.
A uniquely structured charity organization, AOLC connects the community by supporting other nonprofits and organizations who are already doing great things to help others! This is done through progra
AOLC helps people with food & housing security; diversity, equity and inclusion; mental health and wellness, special health needs and more.
A uniquely structured charity organization, AOLC connects the community by supporting other nonprofits and organizations who are already doing great things to help others! This is done through programming and events. All donations received after expenses go directly to the beneficiary. Therefore, we are not just about one cause, we are about many human causes! The more each area gets help, the more our communities thrive!
Our list of beneficiaries since 2019:
Therapeutic Adventures, Inc. (Charlottesville, VA)
2022
AOLC raised over $11K.
Haymarket Regional Food Pantry (Gainesville, VA)
2023
AOLC raised over $14K.
Boxes of Basics
(Manassas, VA)
2024
AOLC raised over $21K.
Legacy Ridge Senior Living Center
(Gainesville, VA)
Provided free art programming for residents with dementia and Alzheimer's Disease.
Literacy Volunteer of America
(Prince William)
our newest beneficiary!
2026
Please join us at the Grand Magnoliya at 6:30 PM on November 21, 2026, to aid in their mission of helping adults in Prince William's County gain dignity, equity and inspiration through the gift of literacy and health literacy
Please help us reach our goals by partnering with us to support people in need.
Why Donate to AOLC
Why Donate to AOLC
Why Donate to AOLC
We are an all-volunteer registered 501(c)3 nonprofit and are dedicated to ensuring that the vast majority of our funds raised go directly to the intended beneficiaries in need.
Our passionate all-volunteer team consists of an Executive Board of Directors:
Executive Director, OPEN
Founder/President, Kelly Haneklau
Vice President, Cindy Lanca
We are an all-volunteer registered 501(c)3 nonprofit and are dedicated to ensuring that the vast majority of our funds raised go directly to the intended beneficiaries in need.
Our passionate all-volunteer team consists of an Executive Board of Directors:
Executive Director, OPEN
Founder/President, Kelly Haneklau
Vice President, Cindy Lancaster
Secretary, OPEN
Treasurer, Peter Alten
and Chair Positions:
Event Chair, Karen Propheter
Program Chair, Leslie Nobile
Fundraising Chair, OPEN
Community Outreach Chair, OPEN
Social Media Chair, OPEN
Grant Researcher, OPEN
Volunteer Coordinator, OPEN
Bookkeeper, OPEN
and our endless team of volunteers!
General Volunteer, ALWAYS OPEN
We are committed to upholding the highest ethical and professional standards possible.
Our VISION is to enhance and continue the human services mission of other organizations and nonprofits (who help people in need) by growing our recognition, presence and financial stability, as well as providing a secure career for our future employees. We also see the arts enriching the lives of its community members through our efforts. By doing this, we will expand our reach and touch more people in need of support in as many areas as possible.
Our future goals include being able to offer employment to kind and caring professionals to help expand our mission.
Therefore, as we grow, so does our help to people in need AND to people in the workforce.
Our Nonprofit is a Community-Owned entity! It is our passion to help those in need. Our nonprofit does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender expression, age, national origin, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or political affiliation or military status.
AOLC DONATES TO THERAPEUTIC ADVENTURES
The 2022 Beneficiary
OCTOBER 25, 2022
A LETTER FROM THE AOLC PRESIDENT
Art of Life Charities is pleased to have been able to support our 2022 beneficiary, Therapeutic Adventures, Inc. (TA), a 501c3 nonprofit. with a donation check in the amount of $9840.56!
It was an easy choice for the Executive Board to select Therapeutic Adventures, Inc., since the work they do for the community is amazing. This charity makes incredible positive impacts on the quality of life of individuals who have unique health challenges.
As stated on TA's website www.taonline.org, part of their mission statement reads:
"Therapeutic Adventures (TA) / IndependencePlus Adaptive Sports (I~AS) provides leadership, programs and specialty therapeutic services to educate, to challenge, and to inspire persons of all ages and abilities. Individuals who have experienced traumatic or catastrophic life events must learn positive ways to adapt and overcome those challenges."
This year, many of the adaptive athletes who TA serves were able to attend the inaugural gala due to the kindness of the TA Founder/CEO, Mark Andrews. The event was centered around art and kindness. The program featured a TA adaptive child athlete keynote speaker who was non-verbal. She spoke to the crowd through eye gaze and incredible computer technology. Speaking of eyes, there was not a dry one in the house during her presentation.
We also had the privilege of hearing from Paralympian Josh Sundquist who sent a special video message talking about his experience with TA from a young age and how it changed his life.
The incomparable Kim B Miller, Poet Laureate Emerita, performed her beautiful poetry which was on-point with the audience and very moving.
New artist, Cynàa-Nicole received two standing ovations for her superior singing performance.
Founder/CEO of TA, Mark Andrews, eloquently spoke about TA and the wonderful work his team does and thanked AOLC and others who made the evening possible.
The AOLC team MCed the event and DJ Claw was in the house to keep the energy up with a dance-off and a drawing contest.
Local businesses and artists donated incredible art and experiences for the silent auction portion of the evening. Everything on the auction block sold!
The event was catered by Spoon and Spindle at Madison at the Mill in Orange, VA with desserts provided by Missy Moodie's Sweet Treats and apéritifs by Iron Pipe Alewerks.
Everyone had an incredible evening while supporting a great cause at the same time. AOLC's mission was accomplished: "Employing the Arts to Support Communities in Need".
Thank you to all of our donors and volunteers! Everyone came together to create the success of our mission. We hope you will join us next year when we help someone else in the community who is doing great things! To volunteer and be a part of AOLC's amazing team, please email us today HERE or Donate Today to help us help others.
Very Sincerely,
Kelly Haneklau, Founder/President, AOLC
Pictured above from left to right:
Karen Propheter (2022 AOLC Events Committee Chair), Cindy Lancaster (2022 AOLC Vice President), Kelly Haneklau (AOLC Founder/2022 President), Mark Andrews (TA Founder/CEO)