by Eileen Goldenberg

Created on: August 17, 2009   Last Updated: September 12, 2009

My reluctant good deed, and the miraculous "Thank You" I received

As an artist, I am often asked to use my expertise by helping with donations to charities and events, either with a gift of my art or my time. I feel it is important to use the gifts we are given in order to give back to our communities and the world at large. I realize for some, circumstances don't allow this, but since I do have free time, I do the best I can. Although, sometimes I'll admit to feeling overwhelmed when requests come in all at once.

While in the middle of working on an art auction for a charity event a few years ago, I received a call from my friend, Linda, who is an amazing and tireless advocate for the homeless. Linda was on the board of the Salvation Army, and she had a favor to ask.

"What now?", I thought feeling cranky and nervous because I was so busy. The week prior, I had given her my daughter's headboard to bring to to the Army. My teenage daughter had outgrown her twin bed and her bedroom's "childish" theme, which was an underwater kingdom. Her artist -made headboard was a beautiful castle with turrets, nooks and crannies for books and other treasures, and was covered in pink textured paint to look like a sandcastle. It was the centerpiece of a room that I had painted with swimming fish, colorful corals, and shimmery water.

Linda explained that the Army had been thrilled to receive the headboard. They decided to place it in the room where people wait to be interviewed before receiving help. Many times, these clients had children in tow, and the headboard had totally transformed the place. Instead of the children sitting in the uncomfortable chairs and being reprimanded by their parents during the long wait, they were playing happily in and around the headboard.

Linda went on to explain that now the walls looked drearier than ever. "What would you think about painting a mural like the one you painted for your daughter?"

I told her I couldn't possibly do iit because that mural had been very time-consuming, I was much too busy with my art auction, and besides, I really didn't love to paint murals. I hated telling her no, but comforted myself with the thought that I had given them the headboard, and you know, I always gave the Salvation Army all my hand-me downs. I hauled all my used household items, clothing and toys to the Salvation Army store once a year. I'll admit to wondering where that stuff ended up, anyway. I'd heard rumors of donated goods being brought home

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