For Zoe Levine (pictured on the left with NAH Core Committee member Lisa Chinsky) the occasion was her Bat Mitzvah; for Emilee Landis (pictured on right with NAH Program Director, Sister Margaret Ann Pilewski, OSB) it was her 11th birthday. For both girls, it was generosity of heart that inspired them to gift the Neighborhood Art House with bags and boxes of art supplies, personal care products and healthy snacks. Zoe Levine’s Bat Mitzvah project included both informing friends, family and members of Temple Anhse Hesed about NAH’s mission and programs, and collecting donations of money and supplies. As part of the celebration of her very special day, Zoe and her mother Susan created centerpieces using paint cans filled with brushes and other art tools along with a card displaying the Art House mission and the poem, Bring the Children, which is found on the NAH website.

Emilee Landis invited her friends to a birthday celebration at Splash Lagoon. While this is not very unusual, her message to her guests to bring presents for the Neighborhood Art House instead of for herself certainly is. Emilee explained that she didn’t really need anything herself, but she knew that there were many children who were not so fortunate. After exploring several possible charities, Emilee chose the children who attend the Art House as the group that she wanted to support.

Both of these girls did not come to this awareness by themselves. Many influences have led them to see beyond themselves, most especially that of their families. All of us at the Neighborhood Art House congratulate Zoe, Emilee and their families on the choices they made that inspire all of us to make the world a better place.