Student Philanthropist Partners with The Crayon Initiative

When Avery Paladino ’24 was eight years old, her brother Ethan was diagnosed with an incurable brain cancer known as DIPG. The months that followed were spent in hospitals as Ethan underwent treatment. It was during this time that Avery and her brother began to take comfort together through art.
After a 15-month battle, Ethan passed away in May, 2016 at the age of 12. Through her grief, Avery continued to create artwork and began to write as well.

Last fall the Lower School partnered with The Crayon Initiative, a national organization that recycles unwanted crayons into new ones, then donates them to schools, hospitals, and art programs. Within six months, Lower School students collected over 100 pounds of crayons, and in March, a handful of students presented the new boxes to a team of doctors and nurses at UVA Children’s Hospital. Avery was among them.

But her work wasn’t finished. The Crayon Initiative inspired Avery to find more ways to contribute, and since the spring, she has gone on to collect 212 pounds of crayons by soliciting donations from area schools, restaurants, local Scout programs, and her church. Avery even partnered with Charlottesville’s A.C. Moore Arts & Crafts to continue her efforts. She set up a display at the store to raise awareness about The Crayon Initiative and the simple way it is bringing comfort to hospitalized children. Now Avery is working to raise the money to ship the crayons to California to be recycled.
 
"Being in the hospital is scary for anyone, but especially for kids.” says Avery. “Being able to color and create art brings the comfort of something familiar into an otherwise difficult experience. With crayons your imagination can take you anywhere!”

//You may watch Avery's story on Newsplex or on NBC29.
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The Covenant School

Birdwood Campus | Lower School | Pre-K–Grade 5 |
1000 Birdwood Road Charlottesville, VA 22903 | 434.220.7309

Hickory Campus | Middle and Upper School | Grades 6–12 | 175 Hickory Street Charlottesville, VA 22902 | 434.220.7329
Located in Charlottesville, VA, The Covenant School is a non-denominational, private, Christian day school for Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 12. Students benefit from a challenging academic program, visual and performing arts, competitive athletics, and a wide selection of extracurricular activities.
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