Giving Back
Giving Back with My Art
Did you know that I have helped to raise thousands of dollars for many charities over the years? I love to support organizations I believe in! I also donate original paintings to worthy organizations for their fundraising events, live and silent auctions and more.
Organizations I have helped raise money for include:
A Place to Be
Best Buddies International
Blue Ridge Hospice
National Kidney Foundation
Middleburg Marketplace
Loudoun Abused Women Shelter
Seven Loaves
Windy Hill Foundation
Discover Purcellville
Local private schools
If you have a fundraiser for a worthy organization and would like me to donate a painting for your auction, please reach out to me and tell me about your charity. I will add your organization to my waiting list. I can't honor all requests, but I will certainly do my best.
Some highlights...
I am a huge supporter of charities that help the U.S. military and their families. One favorite organization is Fisher House foundation which supported me and my family during my dad's long battle with cancer. My dad was the bravest person I know, a career Army test pilot and West Point grad. When he bravely faced painful cancer treatment, Fisher House Foundation provided us "a home away from home" so we could be close to him during that time.
Without Fisher House, it would have been difficult for my mom to be near my dad when he was being treated at Walter Reed Military Hospital. That's me and my dad in happier days ------------>>>>.
I was also honored to be asked to create 100 hand made ornaments for Allied Forces Foundation, an amazing organization that supports wounded, ill and injured veterans and their caregivers both in the U.S., Britain and abroad in wellness and healing. It took me hours upon hours to create them, whereby I first hand painted the papers that I collaged on front and back,
then collaged their motto “side by side” then painted the U.S. flag on one side and the British flag on the other. Here are some pics from my process. AFF is now selling them to raise funds for their efforts here. If you haven’t heard of them, I encourage you to check them out and if you’re so inclined, purchase an ornament. They do amazing things for our vets. https://alliedforcesfoundation.org/aff-holiday/
Here's a cool patriotic bench I created to benefit Discover Purcellville. What a blast!
Animal Charities
I am an animal lover, especially dogs and cats, but I do love all animals because they bring so much joy to life, yet they are so vulnerable. I try to capture their spirit and personality in a unique way in my artwork and the many commissioned pet portraits I create. One organization that does an amazing job helping homeless animals of all kinds is the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Kanab, Utah. If you haven't heard of them, you really should check them out. Their mission is to bring about a time when there are No More Homeless Pets. I love their motto: Save Them All.
I happily donate to Best Friends Animal Society. Every time I purchase art supplies and (even my personal purchases!) are donated to Best Friends Animal Society via the Amazon Smiles program. So, when you purchase from my Four-legged Collection, you are helping homeless animals too! As of 2021 this program has donated nearly $150,000 to Best Friends! I am proud to be a part of that!
I recently finished a labor of love donation to benefit the Stand Up for Pits Foundation Fundraiser and stand up comedy show with comedian Rebecca Correy. It's no secret that pitties are near and dear to my heart, so I was happy to team up with the folks at Ring Dog Rescue in Richmond VA to donate my painting "The Faces of Rescue" to their auction. Ring
Dog Rescue is a nonprofit organization that helps orphaned pit bulls and breed education.
I loved doing this large mixed media piece (24"x30"x1.5") featuring actual rescue dogs and their big pittie smiles. I even did a quick video of it. If you are interested in helping the Stand Up for Pits Foundation, check out their website here. And a big shout out to Ring Dog Rescue for the great work they do! Here's their site.
Equine Rescue League is also a favorite charity. They support the responsible use of working, sport and pleasure horses, ponies, donkeys and mules, help prevent the neglect or abuse of any equine, and offer educational programs to the community and to provide rehabilitation and adoption services for those animals in need. What a great hardworking organization!
These are just a few highlights of my giving back efforts. Does your charity need my help? Reach out to me!