Hi my name is Erin Palumbo I started Creating Courage, an annual fundraiser, whose mission is to help young children struggling to express themselves in a sometimes scary world. Through simple hands-on art projects, children are encouraged to explore their feelings and believe in themselves.

The idea came to me for Creating Courage when my eight year old brother asked me to turn off the TV because he was frightened by the stories on the news. I wanted to help him but I wasn't sure how to do that. Explaining what was happening only affected him more. Being an artist, I did the only thing I could think of. I got out crayons and some paper and we drew. Immediately the fear that he felt started to fade. As we talked and created he forgot what was bothering him for the moment. Later that evening when I had time to think about what happened that day, I realized how difficult it is for young children to process frightening things.