What began as a birthday present evolved into something few could have predicted.
Arsh Pal received a watercolor kit for his eighth birthday. He began painting and soon found himself with an overabundance of paintings. The boy from Dubuque, Iowa, gave some of his paintings away to family and friends before deciding to sell them to raise money for charity.
He has raised more than $15,000 in four years and has been recognized for his efforts.
Arsh quickly became a watercolor painting pro, and he soon had a stack of paintings.
He began by giving his paintings to family and friends, but according to the Des Moines Register, he was inspired to do more when he accompanied his mother, an occupational therapist at a local nursing home, to work.
“I reasoned, why not assist people in being kind?” Arsh stated.
He initially planned to sell his paintings and raise $1,000 for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
He not only met, but exceeded his goal in less than a year.
“My first goal was to raise $1,000 for St. Jude Research Hospital, and everyone doubted me because I was so young, but when I did raise $1,000, everyone was surprised,” he said.
Arsh has continued to sell his paintings and raise funds, raising more than $15,000 in the last four years.
He has also given to Easterseals, Compass to Care, the Riverview Center, and the Make-a-Wish foundation in addition to St. Jude.
Not only have his parents been impressed by his hard work, dedication, and willingness to help others, but he has also received recognition from several organizations.
The 12-year-old has not only received the High Flyers 50 award in India and serves on the board of the Loukoumi Foundation, a nonprofit that promotes youth participation in community building, but he has also recently received The Diana Award.
The Diana Award, named after Princess Diana, is given to individuals between the ages of 9 and 25 who “selflessly create and sustain positive social change.”
“I’m from Iowa, and everyone else is from somewhere else,” he explained. “I’m overjoyed to be receiving it because it’s a significant honor.” Princess Diana represents charitable work and community service, which is similar to what I do.”
Arsh continues to accompany his mother to the nursing home, where he teaches art classes.
He hopes to be able to provide free lessons to children dealing with anxiety and other emotional issues in the future.
While he is unsure whether he wants to pursue art as a career, he says he enjoys it for the time being because “it just makes me smile, and it makes other people happy.”
Congratulations, Arsh! You are a role model.