12-Year-old Boy Sells His Paintings to Raise Money for Children’s Charities.

May 9, 2023 by Cathy Stack

DUBUQUE, Iowa—Arsh Pal, 12, started painting when he was just 8 years old. After creating hundreds of pieces, many of which he gave away to family and friends, he decided to use his gift to help children in need. He now sells his paintings and donates the proceeds to children’s charities including St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. In four years, he has raised more than $15,000.

Arsh’s interest in painting began with a gift of acrylic paints and canvas that he received from his parents, Divya and Sanjeev Pal. He soon began painting during many of his free hours and became a prolific creator of nature-inspired scenes and still lifes.

Divya’s work at a local nursing home helped inspire Arsh to give back to the community. While visiting the facility, he observed how lonely the residents appeared. One day, he had the idea to uplift their spirits by teaching them how to paint. His lessons became so popular that word spread and other nursing homes began requesting Arsh as a teacher for their own residents.

He said he loved bringing joy to others, and he wanted to do more. He decided to sell some of his paintings to help sick children. He reached his initial goal of raising $1,000 for St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital in about nine months by selling his artwork on social media and through local art shows.

“He's never said, 'Can I use this money to buy a video game for myself?'” said Divya, proudly.

He went on to sell more than $15,000 worth of artwork to support St. Jude’s and other non-profit organizations like Make-a-Wish, Compass to Care and the Riverview Center.

Arsh’s selfless mission has garnered attention and acclaim. In 2022, he received the prestigious “Princess Diana award,” which recognizes young people for their humanitarian efforts. He and 182 other children received this award last year for their inspirational contributions to their communities.

Arsh enjoys painting in various themes, from abstract paintings to landscapes to animal portraits. He said he receives inspiration from family trips. now wants to spread the joy of painting to children by providing them with free art lessons. He believes that art can offer powerful healing and therapy to kids who struggle with anxiety and emotional issues.

The Foundation For a Better Life and PassItOn believe that Arsh Pal is a hero. His selfless and kind action is a great example of the value of charity. He has shown how people of any age can create positive change within their communities by simply using their skills and imagination. Please help us celebrate Arsh by sharing his inspiring story.

Watch video here: https://youtu.be/aVpsJvot8es

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