Many thanks to Chick-fil-A Alpharetta Commons for having us back for a third year to “Paint it Forward Pink” in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness month. Our talented artists of all ages created inspirational canvases, which were donated to TurningPoint Breast Cancer Rehabilitation and were given to women fighting breast cancer. We are grateful to have been a part of such a joyful and meaningful event!!

We had the pleasure of co-sponsoring a craft night with A Beacon of Hope for families in the Bridge Long Term Care program. The canvases were filled with hand and foot prints of all sizes, and words of love, to “Paint it Forward” in honor of life and family. We hope the inspirational canvases created will be cherished by these wonderful families for many years!

Our host wanted to celebrate her birthday by “Paying and Painting it Forward!” In lieu of gifts, Mary asked her friends (all rising seniors at The Marist School) to make monetary contributions to The Mustard Seed Communities (for their Nicaragua location). The artists created uplifting canvases to spread messages of joy, hope, faith, peace, and love to the precious children Mustard Seed serves, and the funds will assist with their physical needs.

Happy 17th Birthday to this kind and compassionate young woman!!

What a fun and meaningful event working with the Saint Brigid Circle of Sisters. Our artists created uplifting canvases which were donated to The Drake House – Roswell as Mother’s Day gifts for the moms they assist.

Many thanks to Kathy Swahn for sharing her incredible non profit organization with us, and to the Circle of Sisters for inviting Caring Canvases back for a fourth time to  “Paint it Forward” in the community!

Our group of artists did a wonderful job “Painting it Forward” for Jesse’s House, Inc., which is an emergency shelter and temporary residence for girls between the ages of 7 and 17 who have been removed from their homes due to abusive situations. We hope the uplifting pieces will brighten the walls, and add a little inspiration and joy to the girls’ lives!

Artists of all ages gathered at Chick-fil-A Alpharetta Commons to “Paint it Forward PINK” and the inspirational pieces were donated to TurningPoint Breast Cancer Rehabilitation as gifts for the breast cancer survivors they serve. Many thanks to everyone who made this fun and meaningful event possible …especially Chick-fil-A Marketing Director, Kim Schorr, and the Chick-fil-A Alpharetta Commons team…Karen Burpo, Community Outreach and Development Manager for TurningPoint Breast Cancer Rehabilitation…and our artists who shared their love, kindness, and talents for women in need of uplifting messages!

We celebrated the fourth anniversary of Caring Canvases at my home with an intimate group of good friends from WWW (Word, Women, & Wine). Our artists did a great job “Painting it Forward” for CURE Childhood Cancer, and I know the children who receive these uplifting pieces will be smiling from ear to ear! We also raised close to $200 at this event to add to our September month end donation which will be made to CURE through our business arm, Joy to the WORD, LLC. We have raised approximately $2,400 this month (through both our business and ministry arms) and I am truly grateful to everyone for their help! Thank you for CARING, and please continue to pray for children and their families fighting cancer…and a CURE one day soon.

#GoGold4CURE

Our artists from The Sibley Heart Center Cardiology marketing and human resources departments participated in an off site team building day, and we enjoyed spending the afternoon with them. They did a wonderful job “Painting it Forward” with mixed media heart themed canvases, which were donated to one of Sibley’s pediatric heart centers to be displayed in the waiting room. The pieces were definitely created with LOVE, and will inspire their pediatric patients for years to come!

Faculty, friends, and family members of Mimosa Elementary School did a great job “Painting it Forward” for Living 1:27 foster care ministry. The beautiful pieces being donated, along with a portion of the proceeds from this event, will spread uplifting messages and assist with some of their needs.

“Spread Kindness like Confetti” was the theme of our event to celebrate our host’s birthday. Our artists “Painted it Forward” for The Drake House in Roswell, which helps mothers and their children transition from homelessness to independence. We hope the uplifting pieces being donated will be a source of inspiration for these families as they begin a new chapter in their new lives.

Legacy of Love hosted by CURE Childhood Cancer, was a day filled with inspiration and LOVE as these incredible women “Painted it Forward” in honor and memory of their children who lost their hard fought battles to childhood cancer. We cannot begin to tell you how these women and their precious Angels have touched our hearts. We hope you will please join us in keeping these families in your thoughts and prayers, and a cure one day soon.

(Photo credit to John Rossino)

Our last Caring Canvases event of 2016 was filled with love, hope, joy, and peace as our artists “Painted it Forward” for Make-A-Wish Georgia. These inspirational messages captured on canvas are sure to bring smiles to many children and families in need of encouragement this holiday season!

Perimeter School Bible Study artists “Painted it Forward” for City of Refuge (which is part of Restoration Atlanta). Each piece depicts a unique “Fruit of the Spirit” (Galatians 5:22-23) captured on canvas, and will be donated to the After School arts and crafts room at City of Refuge, to send “peace, love, joy” and much more to the children of the families they serve.

Chick-fil-A and Caring Canvases teamed up by “Painting it Forward PINK” for family night at their Alpharetta Commons* location. The artists of all ages painted inspirational canvases which were donated to The Eric R. Beverly Family Foundation, and will be included in “Caring and Sharing” bags for women being treated for breast cancer at Grady Hospital.

*Many thanks to Chick-fil-A Alpharetta Commons for donating the back room of their restaurant, covering the art supplies, and providing refreshments, so our guests could enjoy a complimentary evening.

The artists from Circle of Sisters at St. Brigid Catholic Church in Johns Creek, “Painted it Forward in PINK” for The Eric R. Beverly Family Foundation. All of their uplifting pieces will be donated to special “Caring and Sharing” bags for women undergoing breast cancer treatments at Grady Hospital.

The artists from Embry Hills United Methodist Church “Painted it Forward” by creating inspirational pieces which were donated to Action Ministries Breakthru House. The canvases, which are hanging throughout their group home, are spreading uplifting, positive, and encouraging messages to the women who reside there.

September 11, 2016

Approximately 73 artists (of all ages and varying art backgrounds), friends, family, volunteers, and sponsors, celebrated our third anniversary by “Painting it Forward” for CURE Childhood Cancer at Holy Redeemer Catholic School in Johns Creek, GA. Our day started with “God bless America” sung by Holy Redeemer TRI-M Music Honor Society students in remembrance of all who perished on 9-11-01.

Honored guest speakers, Kathy Cobble (far right) and Kennedy Cobble (four time cancer survivor, pictured in the middle) with daughter/sister Keaton (second from right) shared their inspirational journeys with us.

Our artists created inspirational art work which could either be donated to children fighting cancer (specifically in Savannah, GA and Jacksonville, FL), or they could choose to give them to individuals in their own lives who might be going through a challenging time. Silent auction and raffle items, giveaways, music, and light refreshments added to our day! 100% of our event proceeds were donated to CURE (from Joy to the WORD, LLC since Caring Canvases is the ministry arm) in the amount of $3,572.74, which was more than double our donation from last year!

We are so grateful to our sponsors for their generous donations, and the following is a complete list (please check our Facebook page for sponsors’ contact information): Holy Redeemer Catholic School, Blick Art Materials  (Roswell), Chick-fil-A  (Alpharetta Commons) KIND Snacks, Kroger (Centennial) Lynn Crow Photography , Crest & Oral B, HUGS by Mary, InspireDesigns, Art & Beyond, Saint Brigid Circle of Sisters, Kera Vie Salon, Two Bow Chicks, Fortune’s Designs, G4 Green Connections, Times Two Treasures, The Fresh Market (Alpharetta), Party City (North Point), Joy to the WORD, LLC, BlueSky Design, AdvoCare, Beautycounter, The Trusted Toolbox Home Repair and Projects, TreibleSullivan Real Estate Professionals, Thirty-One Gifts, Dandelion at Queen of Hearts (Alpharetta), The Jamie McHenry Memorial Foundation, Heavenly Gourmet Popcorn, Grandma Val’s Childcare, California Accessories, and many family and friends who have also donated to our event as well.

Thank you for CARING, and for helping us #GOGOLD4CURE!

To celebrate our host’s birthday, our artists “Painted it Forward” for Interfaith Outreach Home. IOH assists once homeless families by providing them with safe and affordable temporary transitional housing, life skills training, and support in becoming independent in the community.

“Legacy of Love”, hosted by CURE Childhood Cancer, was a day of healing and love for families who have lost their children to childhood cancer. These loving moms “Painted it Forward” in honor and memory of their precious children, and we were blessed to donate this event as a small gift of our love.

St. Brigid CRHP artists “Painted it Forward” for Mary Hall Freedom House, a non profit organization, which helps women stop the cycle of poverty, homelessness, addiction and mental health disorders.

These artists from a neighborhood Bunco group spread holiday cheer to senior citizens by “Painting it Forward” for Atria Northpoint Assisted Living Home.

The Blessed Trinity Lady Titans’ 8th Grade, Junior Varsity, and Varsity Basketball Teams “Painted it Forward” for the AFLAC Children’s Cancer unit at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta (CHOA).

Our 2nd Anniversary was celebrated by “Painting it Forward” for CURE Childhood Cancer! Approximately 60 artists created inspirational pieces which were donated to children battling cancer in the Atlanta area, or given to people in the artists’ lives who were struggling in some way.  We were thrilled to donate all of the proceeds ($1,652.50) to CURE Childhood Cancer, thanks to everyone’s generosity! Four-time cancer survivor, Kennedy Cobble, was our guest speaker, and shared her courageous journey with us, and Annamarie Robb helped us pay tribute to the memory of her son, Sam Robb, and educated us on the meaningful work being done by their non-profit organization, The Sam Robb Fund (which directly benefits CURE) also. We sincerely appreciate the tremendous support and generosity of Holy Redeemer Catholic School, the Cobble family, the Robb family, 104.7 The Fish, AJC Life, The Georgia Bulletin, Kroger, Party City, KIND Healthy Snacks, St. Brigid Circle of Sisters, and Art & Beyond Studio, along with many friends, family members, volunteers, and artists who helped make this event possible!

A local chapter of P.E.O.* (Philanthropic Educational Organization), and some of their family members, “Painted it Forward” for The Drake House…a short term crisis home and support for homeless mothers and children in the North Fulton area.

“Painting it Forward in PINK” was dedicated to the memory of our host’s dear friend who lost her battle to cancer over ten years ago. This group of artists donated their pieces to The Eric R. Beverly Family Foundation to be given to breast cancer patients undergoing treatments through Grady Health Foundation.

These young artists and childhood cancer survivors “Painted it Forward” for CURE by creating inspirational canvases as silent auction donation items for “Care Affair”, hosted by Tri Delta. We loved donating this event and working with these special artists…and their beautiful canvases raised over $2,000 for CURE Childhood Cancer!

This group of Johns Creek Bible Study artists “Painted it Forward” for CURE Childhood Cancer, for children and their families battling cancer.

Holy Redeemer Home and School Association board members “Painted it Forward” for patients at A Beacon of Hope Pregnancy Resource Center.

Artists from CanCare, an organization which matches newly diagnosed cancer patients and caregivers with cancer survivors and survivor caregivers, “Painted it Forward” for patients going through cancer treatments at Emory Johns Creek Hospital Infusion Center.

Mt. Pisgah 7th and 10th grade Impact Groups “Painted it Forward” for a children’s orphanage in Haiti, City of Refuge Shelter, and CURE Childhood Cancer.

This group of artists won the silent auction bid on an event we donated to “Dare to Care” and “Painted it Forward” in Spanish for the Mustard Seed children’s orphanage in the Dominican Republic. Mustard Seed Ministries rescues abandoned and severely disabled children off of the streets all over the world.

The U16 Girls’ Ambush Soccer Team and their coach “Painted it Forward” for CURE Childhood Cancer. All of the canvases were donated to children battling cancer.

“Painting it Forward” for our PATRIOTS was co-hosted by our ministry and Blick Art Materials in Roswell, and was a complimentary event for our artists. The canvases were donated to The Blue Star Mothers of America and were sent to our military overseas. All of the supplies were donated by Blick Art Materials, and we are grateful for their generous support!

The Women’s Guild at St. Andrew Catholic Church “Painted it Forward” for the Wyoming Women’s Center, a women’s prison in Wyoming, for their Mother and Child wing.

The St. Brigid Circle of Sisters’ artists in Johns Creek “Painted it Forward” for the St. Brigid “Adopt-a-Family” program for disadvantaged families.

These artists from North Point Community Church “Painted it Forward” for the residents of Interfaith Outreach Home (IOH), which assists their once homeless residents in a variety of ways, and helps them become fully independent.

St. Brigid CHRP artists “Painted it Forward” for the House of Cherith, a non-profit organization, which rescues, provides safe shelter, and counsels women who have succumbed to prostitution.

These artists honored the memory of Sam Robb by “Painting it Forward” for CURE Childhood Cancer and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at the Sam Robb Memorial Golf Tournament at Legacy on Lanier Golf Club. This event was donated in honor of Sam, and the monetary proceeds collected that day were donated to The Sam Robb Fund, which directly benefits CURE Childhood Cancer.

These neighborhood Bible Study artists “Painted it Forward” for senior citizens to enjoy at an assisted living home in Duluth.

Cristo Rey Atlanta Jesuit High School students kicked off their first Art Club by “Painting it Forward” for their mentors, business partners, and family members. This event was made possible by the generous donations from our First Year Anniversary event.

In honor of Childhood Cancer Awareness month, this group of artists “Painted it Forward” for CURE Childhood Cancer and their inspirational pieces were donated to children battling cancer in the Atlanta area.

The artists at DELL SecureWorks “Painted it Forward” for the Atlanta Ronald McDonald House, which houses families of children undergoing medical treatments.

The First Caring Canvases Anniversary was dedicated to the memory of my father, John J. Sirica, who was a man of great faith, character, and integrity. Our artists “Painted it Forward” for Cristo Rey Atlanta Jesuit High School. Cristo Rey assists students of limited means by providing them with an excellent college preparatory education in a unique work-study and faith based setting. We truly appreciate the generous contributions of our artists, and the love and talents they shared with us!

St. Jude the Apostle Life Teen and Edge artists “Painted it Forward” for the St. Jude Elderly Outreach Ministry in the Sandy Springs area.

The Circle of Sisters at St. Brigid painted several inspirational canvases which were donated to The Drake House, a non-profit organization which provides short term crisis housing for mothers and children.

The faculty and staff of Queen of Angels Catholic School “Painted it Forward” for Catholic Charities in Atlanta and were included in welcome baskets for refugees in Georgia.

The students from St. Pius X Catholic School “Painted it Forward” for their “Marathon of Mercy Day”, and their pieces were donated to St. Pius faculty, staff, and family members going through challenging situations.

The residents of Interfaith Outreach Home (IOH) “Painted it Forward” for their family and loved ones, thanks to the generous donations from our first Caring Canvases party.