Support Dane's University Dream

My son Dane is the hardest working 18 year old I have ever known. Since he was too young to know what he really wanted to do with his life, he set big goals. He was bright and ambitious from the start. Attending a university was one of his earliest missions. He worked so hard to pave that path. In middle school he earned himself a place in a wonderful program called YES which helps low income high achievers make that dream possible. He dedicated so much time and effort into making his dream a reality. Highschool was so so hard on him.

He began his fresh year in the midst of Covid. Wearing masks amongst peers he wanted desperately to connect with but had to stay 12 feet away from, while everyone’s faces would stay hidden for years. He lost many of the connections he had spent his life creating.

The day he turned 16 he got a job and worked as many hours as they would allow him (often 70-80 a week!) while also taking advanced placement classes and actual college courses through the school’s wonderful partnership with our community college. He took on stress that would have broken most and honestly nearly did break himself. He invested a significant amount of his hard earned money into the stock market and tried his absolute best to realize his fullest potential. Despite all of his effort this dream has still felt so far out of reach.

I have worked my absolute hardest as well to help and feel like a failure for not having the knowledge or wealth to make his dream come easier. He graduated with an outstanding GPA, was accepted to multiple schools, chose UNC Asheville, had the Pell Grant and subsidized loans ready to go and when the bill came of the leftover balance his stress had nearly consumed him.

I’ve wanted so badly to help him. I started making paintings months ago in hopes that I could raise some extra money to ease his burden. I wanted to have something to offer when asking for assistance. They are no masterpieces but each was made with love and hope. To anyone so kind as to help I will send a watercolor flower. I am not a person who ever asks for help, but this is beyond me. Please, please help my baby’s future be as bright as it possibly can be.

to receive a painting please email me your address and if you have favorite colors please specify ❤️