BEACHWOOD, Ohio — It's the traditional season of holiday giving, but a couple of Northeast Ohio organizations teaming up to show kids — through art — that giving is important all year long.
Kids 4 Human-KIND is an up-and-coming nonprofit that's already making a big difference in the community, teaching groups of children the act of giving through creating and donating art. The organization is working with Cre8 Sparks in Beachwood for the DIY art studio's "cre8 and donate" initiative.
Families volunteer to create unique art boxes at Cre8 and donate them to kids living in shelters or having a long stay at the hospital. Kids 4 Human-KIND will give out the boxes during the Christmas holiday, but founder Deandrea Springer says family giving projects like this can teach children in a hands-on way the power they have to help others every day of the year.
"My children are even involved, because we have so much," Springer told 3News. "We're so fortunate. They need to learn that others aren't as lucky, so we should share what we can, however we can — not just this time of year, but all year. That's what these boxes and these other projects represent."
Springer and Cre8 Sparks owner Asira Mathew are inviting families to come to the art studio at Beachwood Place and help create the 200 boxes they plan to donate this holiday season. The boxes contain art supplies, games, toys, and even fun, colorful bandages.
Kids 4 Human-KIND and Cre8 Sparks partnered with Ronald McDonald House and Family Promise of Greater Cleveland for this project. An interesting fact about Mathew: She started her first business at 11 during civil war in her native Tajikstan, selling clothes she handmade to local children affected by the war.
If your family would like to volunteer to help "create & donate," visit the Cre8 Sparks webpage.