Painting with STRIVE April 26th, 2019

This morning I went to paint with the young men and women of STRIVE at the Birdseye Complex. This is the third year we have painted with these amazing Stratford students. In the past they have painted for Relay for Life of Stratford and Special Olympics. This year they are helping us with our May Paint with a Purpose and are painting for Hospice Workers. What makes this group so special is two fold: first, some of them were my students, and second, they work to raise funds to pay for these hearts. I find their generous spirit something that brings great joy and pride to my heart. Their teacher, Christine Rafferty, is an amazing person herself. She is training her dog to be a Hospice Therapy dog and is just waiting to see if he received his acceptance to the program.  I look forward to working with STRIVE again in the years to come.


Today the STRIVE students were joined by members of AHEC, Area Health Education Centers, for their Day of Service. Everyone had a wonderful time and as always, beautiful hearts and meaningful messages were created.

Just an aside here, one of these students is blind, but I doubt you would be able to tell which one it is. They will not let a disability stop them from painting a heart or living their life to the fullest.