The crowd at the Glendora Youth Basketball game cheered, their echoes reverberating through the gym. While spectators awaited the next basket from children playing on the court, two 7-year-old artists made their way through the stands on a mission.

Emily Lopez, right, and Ella Speirs sold their artwork to support the Sheri & Les Biller Patient and Family Resource Center. (Photo by Cheryl Lopez)

The girls were championing the virtues of buying their artwork to support those in need.

Emily Lopez and Ella Speirs are two young but enthusiastic fundraisers for City of Hope. They raised $20 at Emily’s cousin’s basketball game, which they donated to the Sheri & Les Biller Patient and Family Resource Center. Emily’s mother Cheryl Lopez, a medical oncology scheduler at the Geri & Richard Brawerman Ambulatory Care Center, is proud they came up with the idea to sell their drawings to raise money for City of Hope all by themselves.

“I feel it is so important to teach our children to be thankful for what they have, who they are and the love they are provided daily,” said Lopez. “In doing so, it is equally important to share and give back to others who may be in need or ill or may not have all that we are blessed with.”

No stranger to the art of giving, Emily was only 6 when she and another friend raised money over a summer for the building of a city war memorial. The Glendora City Council later recognized them for their $300 contribution. Her family instilled an early sense of responsibility and generosity — values shared by countless children who give City of Hope funds from their bar mitzvahs, bake sales and lemonade stands. Many parents in the City of Hope community, like Lopez, quietly pass on the values to their kids.

“My daughter has had many ups and downs in her short life and she amazes me each time she reaches out to offer her gifts to others without any prompting from me,” said Lopez.