A message from Jennifer - Project Coordinator

A few facts:

• 700+ Gallons of Paint
• 1,700+ People
• 4,000+ Square Feet
• 4,200+ Hours of Volunteer Time
• 1,000,000+ Smiles
• One Dad lying on his back on a paint covered drop cloth - laughing because his autistic son just tickled him.
• One little girl, who previously wanted only her mother, gingerly, step by step with her walker, rolling onto a drop cloth to be with her fellow students.
• One adult with disabilities painting side by side with his staff - working together.
• One brother, one sister, one friend all being a part of the story.

As I write this very first newsletter for the website - I am struck by the need to quantify. It seems the facts are simply numbers. Yes, over 1,700 people have painted with us. Yes we paint and play in a donated 4,000 square foot studio which is exceeds our wishes. Yes, we do this one donated dollar at a time - raising over $40,000 to make it all happen. But how do I quantify the volunteers hours? Every second is priceless.

How do I quantify the smiles, the laughs and the giggles?

How do I quantify the moments? They all make a difference.

When The Magic Paintbrush Project started, just a year ago, it was just my family in our mudroom. We never envisioned the quantity. In the end, it's not the quantity that matters - it's the quality. The quality of the community who made it happen.

The Magic Paintbrush Project has become a working program in the Southern Tier, reaching families facing a special needs diagnosis using creative materials.

It's not finger painting, it's not a paint - pallooza, it's not a birthday party venue.

It is a way for families, friends and a community to act creatively to meet the challenge of special needs. It's a place where families abilities to adapt are celebrated, colorfully.

And It Is Beautiful.

As The Project grows, we will keep count, commit to quality, one family at a time. Join us and be a part of the story.

Jennifer O'Brien


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