Local Youth Artist Raises $1500 For Local Schools With Painting Fundraiser

2020 Cram The Cruiser Event Off To Huge Start Thanks To Donation

Parin Patel, holds $1500 check that he's donating to this year's Cram The Cruiser event.

Darren Doyle, story and photo:
Just over a month ago, the Edmonson Voice first reported about young Parin Patel, a Chalybeate resident who will be going into the third grade at South Edmonson Elementary and his newly found painting skills. Parin's father, Manish Patel, told the Edmonson Voice that he and his family had recently encouraged Parin to find other hobbies besides video games. That's when Parin took up painting after watching several how-to videos.

Parin's paintings were impressive from the start and he and his family began to discuss what they were going to do with all the artwork. The family decided to try to sell the paintings for a local cause, which would eventually be Edmonson County Community Education and the EC Family Resource/Youth Services Centers.

After we published the story, all of Parin's paintings were sold basically in the same day and he began taking orders for new artwork. His dad said Parin had over 100 orders and would've had more; however, a shortage of canvas material during the coronavirus pandemic caused Parin's fundraiser to end a bit early.

Today, Parin and his family donated $1500 to local schools, which will be used to kick off the 2020 Cram the Cruiser event that is currently being organized to be held in a few weeks.

"We appreciate everyone who bought the paintings and made the orders," said Manish. "Without the community's support, there would be no fundraiser. We credit the people of Edmonson County for helping the schools."

Parin said he did about 4-5 paintings on the days he worked on them and didn't get tired at all.

"I painted them when I wanted to and it was ok," he said. 

Parin's new passion has been featured on an art YouTube Channel that you can see below.

Manish and his family own Chalybeate Food Mart and is known not only for his popular business but also for giving back to the local community in different ways.

"I am glad that the money was raised for a good cause, but it's also a good teaching lesson for Parin," he said. "I told him that he can work hard to make money and that's good, but it's also important to help others. It's important to support the people that support us. We should help each other."

For more information about Parin's work, you can visit his father's Facebook Page.

Editor's Note: the photo of Parin and the check was edited to hide sensitive account and personal information.