VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) — A rising high school senior in Virginia Beach saw a need in the community and decided to do something about it.
Urvi Jain is a rising senior at Ocean Lakes High School, where she attends the Math and Science Academy. She recently shadowed a dermatology practice and noticed a number of patients who couldn’t afford the medications they needed to get better.
“This really bothered me, because I have a family member who has struggled with a dermatologic condition,” Jain said, “and seeing the fact that there are patients out there that don’t have the same privilege to access the medications they need made me want to see if there is something I could do to bring about change about this.”
So, she created Actions Through Art, a fundraiser with the sole purpose of helping patients pay for necessary treatments and medications. She is selling artwork of her own, as well as donated artwork from other students throughout the area.
“So far, all the art is sourced from students in Virginia Beach because I myself am an artist,” Jain said. “So, I’ve got artwork from the art students at Ocean Lakes High School and the gifted art students at Old Donation School. So, from elementary school kids to high school kids, I’ve kind of collected art from them, and they’ve been generous enough to donate them for this.”
Jain is also accepting donations of artwork from professional artists as well. Actions Through Art also set up a GoFundMe to help reach the fundraising goal.
“Right now the goal is set at around $3,000 because that’s the max I can reach if I sell all my artwork, but so far I’m around like 22% of my goal,” Jain said.
Of course, Jain would like to raise more than her goal. You can help by purchasing artwork from her today (Aug. 7) at Pariser Dermatology Specialists on Kempsville Circle in Norfolk. She is selling the artwork from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. Prices range from $15 to $100.
Jain said she partnered with Lackey Clinic and Commonshare Pharmacy. She will give the money she raised to both organizations. She said they will distribute the funds raised to those in need of dermatological care in Hampton Roads.
If you know of a child working hard to make our local community a better place to live, contact Katie Collett at katie.collett@wavy.com