5th grader donates $1,200 to WEF through the gift of his art

George Carroll of Greenwood, and 5th grader at Galvin, donated $1,200 to the Wakefield Educational Foundation (WEF) this summer through the sales of his custom Simpson-esque portraits.

In May, shopping for Father’s Day, George’s mother, Catherine Carroll saw a site selling services to “Simpsonize” a family photo. Catherine thought, “Georgie could do that!!” And he did, creating a portrait of their family. When sharing his work, she found “everyone wanted one of their own.” “Georgie and I discussed that it would be the ultimate quarantine project and decided to ask for $1 a picture.”

“When we saw the feedback and the much higher donations, Georgie talked about wanting the money to go to a charity. We discussed how sad he was about everything being canceled and how the schools would not get funds from the canceled activities,” stated his mother. In the end, George wanted to help all the schools in Wakefield, and selected WEF to be the recipient.

When George sets to work, he first looks at a photograph provided by the family and imagines what they’d look like in a Simpson cartoon version. He then freehand draws that image. He prefers a fine black liner for the outline and colored pencils for the fill. “Sometimes he blends his colors, or even digitally enhances his pieces,” added his mother.

All in all, George has completed 45 drawings. George recently finished family portraits for Andrea Braham, his 3rd grade teacher at Greenwood and Jeanine Campbell, his 4th grade teacher at Greenwood.

Andrea Braham stated, “I am not surprised at all that Georgie came up with this idea and is donating all the money to WEF. This project speaks to his creative nature and his caring heart and shows the great family he's from, who nurture and encourage his talent and assisted him in using it to help others.”

The Braham Family

She further commented, “I am so proud of the Greenwood community for the donations and of course am proud of Georgie for all the time and effort he put into his artwork.”  

Jeanine Campbell exclaimed, “Georgie did such a great job! When I was his fourth grade teacher, he would draw every chance he got. One of my favorite ways he used his drawings was to sketch note in his reader’s notebook to show his thinking about characters in books. He drew pictures for teachers and classmates. He loves to make others laugh and smile with his sense of humor and his drawings and is always looking out for others.”

The Campbell Family

She added, “When I saw his project for WEF, I was impressed but not surprised that he’d donate his talent to help others. I will cherish my drawing and it will always remind me of the big hearts in our little students!”

When George was asked how he feels about the project, he stated, “I did this to pass time during quarantine, at first. It was just going to be a fun thing. My Mom and I were enjoying it. And now, I am so happy that it made other people happy, when things have not been easy. I always wanted to do something life changing in art form, which I think describes this.”

WEF agrees. Never in its 31 year history, has WEF received a donation so large from an individual so young. The heart, creativity and humor that are highlighted by George’s teachers are certainly felt by WEF. “The imagination and selflessness of George Carroll has made an impressive impact on the entire WEF community and we are honored by his service and awed by his initiative,” stated WEF board member Jennifer Moon, adding, “This year, of all years, the school community could really use the boost. Plus, his pieces are so much fun!”

To support the grant process, WEF receives generous funding from key local business partners, private donors, and a series of annual fundraisers including: WEF’s Wakefield Public Schools Calendar, showcasing student art; the S.T.A.R.S. program, recognizing exemplary WPS staff; Chocolate Roses; and the Adult Spelling Bee. WEF has awarded over $400,000 across the Wakefield Public Schools district since 1989.