A six-year-old Williams Lake boy is painting a picture of generosity and kindness this summer with his artwork.
It started when Gavin Reedman, who just finished Kindergarten, was listening to the radio and heard about the Syrian refugee crisis last spring.
“I heard there was a refugee family moving to Williams Lake and I decided to raise money for that family,” he said.
He thought what better way than to put his artistic talents on display, along with his sister, Lilly Reedman, and friend, Tobin Kruus, which concluded Sunday, Aug. 7 at his home on Pine Crescent with an art show and sale.
His mom, Jenn, and his dad, Dave, invited friends and family to attend.
“I like making art and the friends who are helping me like to make art,” Gavin said.
“I feel good about it. The whole reason is because I like bringing a bunch of people together.”
At the art show and sale his sister, Lilly, also sold lemonade in the family’s back yard to put towards the donation.
Asked how he went about creating his artwork — designed on recycled computer paper with IKEA paints and washable markers — Gavin said he just wanted to have fun with it.
“I didn’t really have an idea how to make the art,” he said.
“I made it no special way — I just made it.”
Jenn, meanwhile, made arrangements to drop the money raised off with the Williams Lake Refugee Sponsorship Group (WLRSG) on Facebook, who are actively looking for financial and other donations to help refugees arriving in Williams Lake.
Guests at the art show and sale bid on items at the Reedman home, displayed creatively on a picnic table outside.
For his honourable venture, Gavin raised $350 for the WLRSG — an amount he was surprised with.
“He was aiming for $100,” Jenn said. “He said that he feels happy that so many people had fun at the art sale, too.”
If anyone would like to make a donation to the WLRSG to help sponsor a refugee to our area cheques can be made out to St. Peter’s Anglican Church and mailed to Williams Lake Refugee Sponsorship Group, P.O. box 4346, Williams Lake, B.C., V2G2V4 with ‘Refugee Support Fund’ on the memo line.