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Scott-inspired art to benefit Air Force Aid Society

  • Published
  • By PRWeb of St. Louis
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. --  Renowned artist Mary Engelbreit met with the Officers' Spouses' Club at Scott Air Force Base last fall, and the trip inspired three illustrations to raise money for military charities. All proceeds from prints and products featuring the illustrations will benefit the Military Child Education Coalition and the originals are being auctioned off at the annual United States Air Force Charity Ball in Springfield, Va., outside of Washington D.C., on April 6, which benefits the Air Force Aid Society.

"I agreed to speak at the SOSC meeting last fall thinking it would be a tiny contribution I could make to the brave men and women who serve in the armed forces," said the St. Louis-based artist. "It turned out that the day was truly an inspiration to me. I did not know what to expect, but I was somewhat surprised to learn that a military base is first and foremost a home for families.

"The trip made me think about what home means, and it inspired me to create three new illustrations about home and these men and women moving and leaving at a moment's notice. I wanted to honor the sacrifices they and their families make to protect our country."

Engelbreit's three illustrations are titled "Bloom Where You're Planted," "Home is Wherever We're All Together," and "Safe And Sound." "Bloom Where You're Planted" features a military spouse watering flowers in a patriotic flower box. "Home is Wherever We're All Together" depicts a home on wheels with an American flag. And "Safe and Sound" is a scene of a reunion between a servicemember and his two children.

Engelbreit was also inspired to help the families in the military by donating the proceeds of the illustrations to charity.

"The women at Scott Air Force Base also told me about how difficult it is for their children, because they have to switch schools so often," she said. "And because curriculum is different in each area, military children often have holes in their education or learn subjects twice. These children face this challenge while often being separated from a parent who is in active duty."

The SOSC members chose the Military Child Education Coalition as the recipients. The organization focuses on providing educational opportunities to the children of military families. All items featuring the illustrations at www.maryengelbreit.com will be donated to this organization.

Additionally, Engelbreit donated the three original illustrations to the annual United States Air Force Charity Ball to be auctioned for the Air Force Aid Society.