Charities
Children’s Cancer Research Fund
Emma’s Hope is a painting that depicts the magical moment when a butterfly lands gently on a child’s finger. This image is close to my heart because it was inspired by my special friend, Emma, who at the age of 2½, was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer called neuroblastoma. I saw firsthand the courage and faith it takes for families to fight such a battle. Happily, Emma is now grown up, living a full life and is cancer free. It is my wish that my butterfly prints will bring families a bit of comfort and a feeling of hope. Children’s Cancer Research Fund is dedicated to finding a cure for childhood cancer by providing funds to the University of Minnesota for research and training relating to the prevention, treatment and cure of childhood cancer. The organization also educates the public on childhood cancer and supports quality-of-life programs for pediatric cancer patients and their families.
Freedom Honor Flight
There aren’t enough words to describe the gratitude I feel for our Veterans. Their sacrifice and bravery are second to none and it’s been my honor to call several of them my friends. From the moment I first heard about Freedom Honor Flight, I knew I wanted to help. I realized the best way for me to do this - and to say "thank you" to our Veterans was through a painting. American Honor and all my raptor and animal prints are dedicated to this most noteworthy cause. Freedom Honor Flight is a La Crosse-based organization formed in April of 2008. Their goal is simple: to fly our veterans to Washington D.C. to visit the memorials that stand in their honor. Freedom Honor Flight receives no government funding and depends entirely on donations.
Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation
My nephew Max was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes when he was a little boy. Until then I never realized the struggles that were associated with this autoimmune disease and what Max and his family faced every day. When I painted Trusting Him, my goal was to create an image that not only reminded me of my childhood but one that instilled faith in believing that someday there would be a cure for this disease. Through organizations like JDRF, there is hope for a cure. Kids should spend their childhoods playing with their friends, and looking for a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow – not learning words like "diabetes", "insulin", and "hypoglycemia". All of my landscape prints are dedicated toward this foundation. JDRF is the leading global organization funding type 1 diabetes (T1D) research. Their strength lies in exclusive focus and singular influence on the worldwide effort to end T1D. Their Vision: A world without type 1 diabetes. Their Mission: Improving lives today and tomorrow by accelerating life-changing breakthroughs to cure, prevent and treat T1D and its complications.
Seasons 4 Hope
Seasons 4 Hope is a non-profit fund set up to help families during a time of medical crisis and to make a difference through a difficult time. I was a young girl when my dad was first diagnosed with cancer. With a family of six, there were already challenges… and no room for an illness. I remember one day our neighbor came by to visit. As he left, he laid a check down on our kitchen table – the amount was $150.00. Seeing the tears in my dad’s eyes is something I'll never forget. It made me realize even then how powerful a kind act can be. My dad died at the age of 46 - but I will always remember that kind neighbor. My mother lived to be 69. She died following a three-year battle with lung cancer. Juggling the doctor appointments, paperwork and medical bills is difficult for anyone… especially when you’re sick. I established Seasons 4 Hope because of these memories - of my parents struggles and the financial hardships that it brought. With the idea of life being made up of "four seasons", and in memory of those I have loved and lost, I’ve dedicated my Four Seasons print series, along with all of my songbird prints to Seasons 4 Hope. Through these sales, and through the generosity of others, thousands of dollars have been raised in support of this fund. Individuals can also make a difference by making a contribution directly to The First Bank of Baldwin, Plum City Office, 409 Main Street, Plum City, WI 54761 where the Seasons 4 Hope fund has been established.
Coming Soon...
Gundersen St. Elizabeth’s Hospital & Clinics
I love roses - they're my favorite flower. They’re soft and feminine with a scent uniquely their own. I’m amazed how a tiny bud can unfold itself into multiple layers of petals. New Blossom, my painting of a simple pink rose, along with all of my floral prints, are dedicated to Gundersen St. Elizabeth’s Hospital & Clinic in Wabasha, MN. They are a Physician-led, not-for profit healthcare system. Combining the right amount of love with the best medicine is their specialty. They pay attention to the little things that matter most in your life, trying to make your experiences with them just a little bit better. “Love + Medicine is who we are…it's what we do…it's why our local communities have relied on us for decades.” Their Vision: "We will enhance the health and well-being of our communities, while enriching every life we touch, including patients, families, and staff." Their Mission: "We will distinguish ourselves through excellence in patient care, education, research and improved health in the communities we serve."
Donates a minimum of 10% to several charities with each sale.
Every time I look into – and beyond my little fence lined courtyard, I find inspiration for a new drawing or painting. There are birds singing their sweet little songs, bees buzzing around the flowers and the apple trees – and all kinds of critters finding sanctuary at our old retired dairy farm. Inspiration... I don’t have far to look!