Published: Nov. 12, 2013
East Lansing's Art for Charlie Foundation, created by a local family with a terminally ill child, is holding its annual fundraiser on Thursday, Nov. 14.
Named in honor of Charlie Waller, the five-year-old East Lansing boy diagnosed with terminal brain stem cancer, the Foundation raises money through art events and art sales to provide hospice care for very ill children and to help families who suffer from the loss of a child.
The Art for Charlie Art Show & Auction has become a significant annual event, and this year's event will be held from 6-9 p.m. Thursday at the Marriott at University Place, 300 M.A.C. Avenue.
In addition to work by prominent artists from Michigan and from other states and countries, the auction includes donations from local businesses for dinners out, resort packages, cases of wine, plus an unusual prize donated by the East Lansing HopCat which is valued at $2,000.
Last year's event attracted more than 400 attendees, enabling the Art for Charlie Foundation to donate $20,000 to Sparrow, $10,000 to Hospice of Michigan, and also to help families facing the tragedy of a child with a life limiting illness.
The Foundation is also running an exhibition of children's art from local schools in the lobby of the Marriott through Thursday.
For more information on the Art for Charlie Foundation, check out its website, FriendsofCharlie.com.