Help Line holds event for kids to raise funds

Madison Williams, an Aiken Elementary School fifth-grader, doesn't watch a whole lot of television.

Instead, she spends much of her free time painting and coloring, said her dad, Tom Williams.

At the Kids' Art event at the Aiken Mall, sponsored as a fundraiser by Aiken Help Line, Madison took first place for third through fifth grades for her depiction of the seasons.

"It's a holiday painting for all the seasons," she said. "It's got a ghost, Frankenstein, Santa Claus, a snowman, a girl in a swimsuit and some flowers."

Parents and other community residents bid on student art to raise money for Help Line, an agency that provides the 211 information referral service for Aiken County and many other counties.

The winners for kindergarten through second grades were Kelse Deas of East Aiken Elementary School of the Arts (first), Tyler Patrick of East Aiken (second) and Sophia Owens of Aiken Elementary (third).

Madison's co-winners in third through fifth grades were Demontray Butler of Warrenville Elementary School (second) and Christopher Parker of Aiken Elementary (third).

Their art teachers are Carla Kerrigan of Aiken Elementary, Barbara Craig of Warrenville Elementary and Carrie Power of East Aiken. Kerrigan and Power will receive $250 for their arts programs, while Craig got $100.

Help Line director Janis Leonard-Hoffman was grateful for the support of parents and the assistance of Naval Junior ROTC cadets from South Aiken High School.

Help Line provides referral services for a variety of needs - people looking for services following a disaster, help for victims of domestic violence, people dealing with depression and those needing help with a utility bill, food or shelter.

The 211 program is also handling calls for Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA), steering people to a free tax service.

Scott Ewald joined the Help Line board of directors in 2008 and now serves as the chairman.

"It's been a lot of fun, and I've seen what it means for many people," he said. "I see 211 as the Internet for people who don't have the ability to get to the Internet. We provide them with information they wouldn't get easily."

It's a great cause, said Bob Bigger, a board member for five years.

"The community doesn't really know about what we do," he said. "I wish we had more money to get the word out. We're providing a valuable service."

Joanie Ray, mother of Tyler Patrick, was delighted that Help Line supports the arts through its sponsorship of the contest.

"We moved to Aiken from Columbia when school started last year," she said. "We chose East Aiken because Tyler learns best through art."

Contact Rob Novit at rnovit@aikenstandard.com.