For Immediate Release
Contact: Cathi Foster
Event Coordinator
414.764.2747
Art with a Heart
Cudahy, WI – 10 year old Patrick Foster has an eagle eye for impressionistic art, since he has been drawing it most of his young life. His heart, however, has such a beautiful compassion for others that it completely exceeds even his most elaborate designs.
The young artist is determined to make a difference in the lives of abused and neglected children this holiday season, by selling his one of-a-kind creations at The Holiday Craft and Vendor Fair being held Black Friday, November 25th and Saturday, November 26th at Changing Lives Assembly of God in Cudahy, and The Christmas Rush Craft and Vendor show December 2nd, 3rd, and 4th. Patrick plans to donate all the proceeds from his pictures to Royal Family KIDS, an organization which works with abused and neglected children in Milwaukee foster care.
Royal FamilyKIDS provides a one week resident camp designed to meet the individual and overwhelming needs of abused, abandoned, and neglected children in a safe, Christian environment. It attempts to answer the question that haunts each child in foster care: “Am I loved?” with a reassuring, “Yes.” This organization also pairs these deserving children with caring adult mentors that meet with them throughout the school year.
Patrick has decided that if someone wants to sponsor a child to camp, he would be happy to create a customized design especially for them at the show.
“It’s just the right thing to do,” says the humble ten-year old.
Patrick’s understanding of touching a person’s life runs deeper than most adults. He is the youngest of four children, with two of his siblings being adopted from the foster care system.
What makes this young man even more amazing is that he was born with Diamond Black Fan Anemia and Tetrology of Fallot, a congenital heart defect. Patrick had open heart surgery at just three days old, and faces surgery to replace the defective valve in the future. His health issues include blood transfusions every month for the rest of his life and possible bone marrow transplants. But this doesn’t deter this sweet yet spunky youngster a bit.
“Patrick is our little bumblebee,” says his mom, Cathi Foster, who is also the event coordinator for The Christmas Rush and the food coordinator for the Starfish Walk/5K Run held in May, which also benefits Royal Family KIDS.
“Mathematically, bumblebees can’t fly, yet they do. Patrick should not be doing as well as he is, yet he has exceeded the doctors’ expectations.”
The Fosters also credit their incredible faith in God, a strong will, and a positive moral up bringing for Patrick’s amazing success.
“We taught him well,” states Patrick’s father, Phil, who inspired his son to draw. “He puts others first. Pat is willing to make money, not for himself, but for children who are in desperate need of extra love and care.” If the measure of a person’s heart is gauged by how much they care for others…then Patrick’s heart is certainly picture perfect.
Another artist present at these events is celebrated photographer and the Author of “Christ for Carnies”, Jacquelyn Dienst, who will be donating a portion of her proceeds to both Royal Family KIDS and Changing Lives’ youth group programs.
Both events will be held at Changing Lives Assembly of God Church, 4970 South Swift Avenue in Cudahy, and will benefit both Royal Family KIDS and youth group programs run by the church. The events have free admission and will feature Miche Bags, Wild Tree food products, Lia Sophia Jewelry, Tupperware, and various other crafters and businesses. The youth groups will be selling food, including hot dogs, drinks, nachos and a new item, baby cake pops.
The Holiday Craft and Vendor Fair will be held Black Friday, November 25th and Saturday, November 26th from noon to 5pm, and the Christmas Rush event will be held Friday, December 2nd, 5pm to 9pm, Saturday, December 3rd, 10am to 3pm, and Sunday, December 4th, from noon to 4pm.
For more information on these events, Royal Family KIDS, The Starfish Walk 5K Run, or Changing Lives Assembly of God, please call Cathi Foster at 414.764. 2747, or email her at [email protected].
