The Free to Believe Award honors a volunteer who has been integral to Free Arts for multiple years. This award recognizes a volunteer whose longevity has been devoted and consistent.

Ashley Donovan began her journey with Free Arts back in 1999. She was initially drawn to Free Arts because of the opportunity to share art with children and volunteered in the Weekly Mentor Program and at MAC Camp. “I believe in the organization’s mission, as cheesy as it sounds, but art really does heal, and I have witnessed it first hand. It is truly heartwarming to witness children find an outlet for expression through art. Also, my mom, Penny, is my partner for the mentor program. I love that I get to share the experience with her.”

Taking a break to attend college and law school, she came back to our programs in the spring of 2008. Since her return, Ashley has expanded her role with Free Arts. In addition to being a Weekly Mentor, Ashley has volunteered at MAC Camp, our annual Art Heals Luncheon, and the Palette of Homes Tour. She is also a Free Arts Ambassador.

Yet throughout her diverse involvement, her heart is always with the children. “One little girl that I mentored about a year ago really sticks out in my memory. When I first met Rachel, she refused to finish a project and would wreak havoc on the group. However, as the weeks passed I was able to spend more and more one-on-one time with her. The first time I really sat down with her she told me that she could not do art because she was stupid and could only draw like a little kid. After that, I would always go out of my way to praise her art and ask her about how things were going."

“I remember the first time she finished a project, it was a painting based on a Dr. Seuss book. She painted orange mountains, and there were pools with sharks at the bottoms of the mountains. It was really cool, and the other kids in the group told her so. She was just beaming. From then on, she became a leader of the group. All of the little girls looked up to her and would follow her lead when it was time to do the Free Arts project.”

Congratulations, Ashley! Thank you for your patient heart, dedication and consistency with our children.

Photo: Ashley (left) and Penny Donovan (right) attend a Free Arts Donor and Volunteer Reception.