Chipping In for a Teachable Moment
In the spirit of making life more colorful, Behr partners with national nonprofit Fresh Artists on a groundbreaking Chip Art program to support underfunded public schools throughout the nation, offering children the opportunity to create mosaic artwork using obsolete paint chips and recycled cardboard. The “Go Green program helps us address an industry-wide challenge: “What do we do with our outdated paint chips?
The organization assembles art kits that include obsolete BEHR® paint color chips which are reused to make colorful Chip Art mosaics by participating youth. Each distributed kit for classrooms impacts at least 150 children in underfunded public schools across the nation.
During the Summer of 2022, team members gathered in Allentown, Pennsylvania to assemble nearly 1,000 chip art kits. The efforts enabled Fresh Artists to expand their program to an additional 150,000 low-income children nationwide.
“Eleven years ago, Fresh Artists contacted our manufacturing facility in Allentown, Pennsylvania with this brilliant idea, said Adam Aquino, Manufacturing Manager at Behr Paint Company and Fresh Artists Board Member. Through the donation of millions of discontinued paint chips, Fresh Artists has been able to create paper mosaic classroom art kits for more than 800 underfunded schools and more than 400 mini kits directly into students’ homes during the pandemic. “We’re proud to partner with Fresh Artists to deliver art materials to underfunded schools and continue to support the importance of art education in schools across the country."
Product Donations Enhance Experiences
Product donations for qualifying nonprofits have also uplifted youth programs including New Vista School in Laguna Hills, California. New Vista School is a small, private school that teaches children with specific learning disabilities and equipping them with a variety of educational approaches that meet each student’s unique needs. Behr donated more than 80 gallons of paint for the school to refresh their exterior school building and bring a fresh coat of color for students and faculty to enjoy. Color in the hands of youth also encourages creativity. Volunteers for the Orange County-based nonprofit, Anaheim Youtopia used donated cans of BEHR® Spray Paint to embrace their DIY skills by painting a colorful banner mural to thank their local partners. The organization provides art education to at-risk youth in the area by hosting monthly activities focused on cultivating creative learning experiences.
Inspiring Leadership Paints a Future
Behr team members are often contributing their time to offer mentorship to non-profit partners that equip low-income youth with professional skills such as Girls Inc., OC United Way, and more to empower and equip the next generation.
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