Fundraising
How donated paintings and creative projects have connected me with community causes.
As an aspiring artist, I never imagined the profound impact my work could have on fundraising efforts.
My journey began when I donated a piece to the Rotary Club of Belleville in support of the Children’s Foundation, as well as the Dave Mackay Memorial Golf Tournament, which raises funds for local charities including the Grace Inn Shelter and Christmas Sharing. From there, each donation led me to new organizations.
A digital print of my painting of a beaver rescued in the Bell Creek area was sent to the Scottish Wildlife Trust in support of its work with beavers. You can read the story behind the painting in Bell the Beaver.
For BooBash, an online fundraiser supporting breast cancer screening through the Trenton Memorial Hospital Foundation, I carved an Elvira pumpkin for a themed video produced by Doug Knutson and Windswept Productions. Watch the BooBash pumpkin-carving video and read how it came together.
I also contributed to fundraising for the Belleville Blues Fest, and after that, a piece went to a Quinte Ballet School fundraiser.
Most recently, a large custom piece was donated to the Gord Downie Brain Cancer Research Fund at Sunnybrook Hospital on the tenth anniversary of The Tragically Hip’s farewell tour.
I also supported a Quinte Arts Council Mural Mosaic Project initiative. It is about more than paint on canvas: it is about unity, belonging, and collective impact. Each participant paints one small tile, a personal expression that becomes part of a much larger image. Together, the individual works tell a visual story about how creativity connects communities from coast to coast. It was a great arts community initiative to support.
The support and feedback have been overwhelming. I want other artists to know that their work can mean so much more than they realize. These pieces can fuel real change, give a voice to vital causes, and open doors to a brighter future. The respect and appreciation shown for a piece donated by an artist mean a great deal to me. As I continue this journey, I hope other artists realize the difference their work can make.
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