2 Harvard-Westake Girls Create Art Project That Makes a Difference

Two 17-year-old girls from the Harvard-Westlake School in Studio City came up with an amazing art project they thought could make a difference.

The girls, Wendy Chen and Eden Weizman, had some parameters: a practical art project that can be produced in large quantities, in short time, that is cost-effective and also serves a "green" environment.

They also wanted to raise money for a nonprofit organization. They teamed up with the Talbert Family Foundation because it helps local residents and gives all of the donations to needy families.

On the foundation's website, they read about a 6-year-old boy, Daniel Sherry, suffering from leukemia and who has had a year of chemotherapy. That was who they were going to help.

The girls came up with $150 form allowance money and bought art supplies and created their designer tote bags. For a donation of $25 or more, a donor receives the tote of choice.

The girls have also arranged a "Daniel's Day" with the neighborhood Menchies frozen yogurt chain and have arranged to display their tote bags in their school's student store for donations for Daniel.

"Our gift is for practical daily use and can be used as a sturdy shopping bag to carry such things as groceries, library books, music books or dance clothing," Weizman said. "What we are doing is very special. We are rewarding kids and adults for contributing to Daniel's fund by giving them our tote bags to use in their daily life, giving them a gift for making a difference to someone's life."

For online orders, visit http://www.talbertfamilyfoundation.org

Read more in the Ventura County Star: http://www.vcstar.com/news/2012/apr/04/teens-create-art-project-that-benefits-families/#ixzz1sSOaNfQ4