Q&A
Amber Rose, 17, of Elizabeth is a national finalist in the Angel Soft Angels in Action award. She was chosen from among 20,000 nominees ages 8 to 18 who are “angels” in their communities. Amber founded and runs a program called Art Angels, which provides free art supplies and instruction to children in shelters, hospitals and other venues. She has raised more than $30,000 through business and corporate sponsorships. She is a senior at Elizabeth High School. She plans to attend the University of Colorado at Boulder next year to study business and sales.
Q: Where did the idea for Art Angels come from?
A: When I was in second grade I was a patient at Children’s Hospital. One day Miss Teen Colorado came in and gave me art supplies and things to do. I was so scared with everything about the hospital, and they were so nice to do that. I’m really into art. I’m featured in the art shows and win a lot of competitions. I thought bringing something I was good at to kids would be beneficial, giving them something they wouldn’t normally have.
Q: How does the program work?
A: To get the supplies, we solicit corporate donations, and then we’re contacted by different organizations through word of mouth or e-mail. I just go to places like Boys and Girls Clubs, Champa House and Children’s Hospital with as many art sets as they want. I’ve been going for four years to do different art sessions. Since it’s near Christmas we’ve been doing a lot of holiday themes. We make paper-bag reindeer, and a lot of kids made crafts for their moms for Christmas.
Q: What do you think children get out of the program?
A: Art is a nonviolent way to express yourself. Especially with the recent school shootings, kids need an outlet to express themselves. Also, a lot of the kids I visit don’t have a lot of personal items to call their own, so getting a 130-piece art set for no reason, a lot of kids are blown away by that.
Q: Has this experience been something you will use later in life?
A: I hope to. Through this I’ve learned better skills in public speaking, public presentation and how to conduct myself as a businesswoman to raise money through all the business luncheons and important business people I’ve met through Art Angels.
– Joey Bunch, Denver Post staff writer
REGIONAL NOTES
ARVADA
Santa and missus taking calls
Last-minute Christmas wish lists can be delivered directly to Santa and Mrs. Claus with a phone call. Through Christmas Eve, residents of Exempla Colorado Lutheran Home are standing by at the Ho Ho Hotline, 303-403-3150, for holiday talks with children. The hotline is open from 10 a.m. to noon and 2 to 6 p.m. through Sunday.
CASTLE ROCK
Volunteers to bag creek debris
The fourth annual Creek Cleanup Day will be Dec. 28 from 9 to 11:30 a.m. along Seller’s Gulch in Castle Rock. Volunteers will receive instructions and maps at the Castle Rock Community Bandstand at 100 S. Wilcox St. The work will be followed by a celebration with hot chocolate and giveaways.
About 70 people turned out last year, gathering more than 50 bags of debris that had been swept into Cherry and East Plum creeks by stormwater. If bad weather prevents the cleanup on Dec. 28, the backup date is Jan. 2. Work gloves and trash bags will be provided.
For more information call 720-733-6011.
DENVER POST STAFF REPORTS
