Some "artful" gifts

Hello my fellow gifters! This week I gave a couple of gifts that touch my soft spot for art. I am an artist and feel great passion for the arts and believe the creative self-expression in creating art is very healing. Two nights ago I came across this website charity www.Donorschoose.org. It allows teachers from across the country to post class projects and the school supplies needed for the classroom project. People can the scan the projects and make a tax deductible cash donation for a specific class project. Donorschoose then will purchase the supplies and ship to the school. Contributers can search schools in their local area or search by type of class or supplies. What a great idea this is!!! So many school budgets today are being slashed to the bone and that leaves teachers in a bind, spending their own money to fund the needed supplies.

For my donation, I searched for a school in AZ in a high-risk area. Then I looked for a project that needed art supplies. I found a teacher listing that touched my heart and knew that was the class to donate to. Here is her posting:

My Students

"I have the honor of seeing a child’s face the first time they see the magic that happens when yellow and blue make green. I have the privilege of showing them the genius of Michelangelo and the wonder of finger paint.

I teach art and drama to grades K-12 in a very “at risk” area. My school is in a transient town with a high Meth population and an over 50 % High School dropout rate. I have kindergartners who the first crayons they have ever seen are the ones I give them. I have high school students who only attend their other classes because we offer art."

My Project

"I make use out of everything I can get my hands on. I spend many weekends at yard sales and flea markets and have spent more of my own money more times than I want to count. The school is great that they support the arts by having me but that means there is no budget left for art supplies.

Art supplies, craft supplies may seem like simple things but it is the tools that I use to show them there is a world out there, that there is beauty and that they can create something good. By having these basic art supplies I can continue to open the world to them. I wish I could describe how much your gift would mean. Letting children paint and draw lets them escape, dream and know that the have something to give.

I hope you know that even one box of markers opens their world. It is well documented that the arts improve every aspect of their academic pursuits. They also offer something my kids need more than anything; hope. Arts offer the hope that there is a world beyond the one they live. In their world, color is a rare and precious thing; please help bring color and hope to them.

My 230 students need markers, glue sticks, scissors, pencils and a pencil sharpener.

It would be great to get all the art supplies to the school before the kids return in the fall. If you would like to join me in helping this teacher and classroom, here is the link:

http://www.donorschoose.org/donors/proposal.html?id=391539&utm_...

The other gift I gave is to one of my Facebook friends, Issadora. I have never met her, but she grew up with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis like I did. She has been having a super tough time recently and she loves art and writing so I decided to 'gift' her an autographed copy of my healing art book. In the book, I teach people how to create healing mandalas and I feel this creative outlet for her pain could be very healing. I mailed the book to her this morning and she is VERY excited to make her first mandala. It feels good to open a door to something new for someone. I wish her many beautiful, healing mandalas.

Wishing you all a fantastic summer weekend! Big Hugs!!

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Comment by Deb~ Community Manager on June 10, 2010 at 4:23pm: Thanks goes to you for the info Wendy Jo! xo

Comment by Wendy Jo on June 10, 2010 at 4:17pm: It is exciting to see people donating to this wonderful cause. Thanks to you ALL !!!! It makes my heart smile to see the love pour out for these children.

Comment by Sherry on June 9, 2010 at 5:19pm: Wendy, I just checked on DonorsChose.org...and they are only $79 away from the goal! A huge portion is due to your posting here on 29 Gifts!! Thanks again for doing so!!! xoxo

Comment by Dawn wwt on June 9, 2010 at 2:26pm: Arts offer the hope that there is a world beyond the one they live. In their world, color is a rare and precious thing; please help bring color and hope to them.
that really, really touched my heart. i was fortunate enough to grow up in a family which, while far from perfect, encouraged me in and exposed me to the magic of music, reading and art and they have sustained me through many difficult times. for me, these things are necessities, not luxuries. thanks so much for sharing this link so i can help bring them into the lives of children who otherwise might not get that chance. Hugs, Dawn

Comment by Sherry on June 4, 2010 at 4:10pm: Thanks for this! I just donated in my Mom's memory and honor. She was a wonderful artist and believed in giving children the opportunity to create! Doing this was the highlight of my day.

Comment by Sherry on June 4, 2010 at 3:50pm: This is a great organization. I have donated to a school in Vermont several times. I will help also! It's amazing how a few simple items can make a big difference in a child's life. Blessings!

Comment by Deb~ Community Manager on June 4, 2010 at 3:05pm: I am so touched by your gifts Wendy Jo. How beautiful... I am going to the link and see what I can do to help~ This is such a worthwhile cause and I would love to bring a bit of joy to the children and the teacher also. Your gift of the book is very nice~ I hope it brings her pleasure. Big hugs to you my friend~

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