I HEART ART 2014: Art Supplies Drive and Free Art

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - July 25, 2014 - PRLog -- As schools search for ways to tighten spending, arts programs are often among the first to be cut from budgets. Many families turn to enrichment activities at the Y to supplement what their children are missing in the classroom. To help meet the demand, YMCA of Florida’s First Coast created IHeart Art – an art supplies drive to benefit all children in our communities. From August 2–25, the Y is teaming up with Action News, Cox Media Group, Community First Credit Union, First Coast Honda Dealers and Walgreens to collect new, packaged art supplies. The Y is asking for crayons, markers, watercolor paints, paintbrushes, construction paper, glue and more. As a thank you for a donation, the joining fee will be waived for anyone who becomes a Y member during the drive.

The Y is also inviting the entire community to kickoff I Heart Art at the Williams Y’s Back-to-School Bash on August 2 from 1:00pm-4:00pm. This FREE event will feature arts activities for all ages from Doing Dishes Pottery Studios and the Museum of Contemporary Art, a pool party, free sports physicals, inflatables and games. The Y is also hosting FREE community art events its other northeast Florida locations. Visit FirstCoastYMCA.org/explore/i_heart_art_2014 for a complete list of event information.

Community First Credit Union will also be accepting cash donations for I Heart Art at any of its locations August 2-25. “Community First is proud to support I Heart Art,” said John Hirabayashi, CEO and president of Community First Credit Union. “Education and vibrant learning experiences are causes we feel strongly about. I Heart Art gives our members and the community a chance to help provide engaging learning opportunities through the YMCA’s programs.”

Donations for I Heart Art can be dropped off at all First Coast YMCAs, Community First Credit Unions, First Coast Honda Dealers and the following Walgreens locations:

Saturday, August 9

10:00am-12:00pm

1565 County Road 220

Orange Park

Saturday, August 16

10:00am-12:00pm

13905 Old St. Augustine Road Bartram Park

Saturday, August 23

10:00am-12:00pm

860 A1A North

Ponte Vedra Beach

For more information about I Heart Art, please call Michelle Moore, YMCA of Florida’s First Coast Vice President of Marketing & Communications at 904.265.1783.