TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) — The Sharing Tree, a Tallahassee non-profit that aims to help kids learn about art through recycled products, may be at risk of shutting down soon.
Carly Sinnadurai loves making.
"And there's tons of inspiration everywhere," said Sinnadurai.
As CEO of the Sharing Tree, she also loves to see children making art.
"I love that space, and the kids really do, too," Sinnadurai said.
But space and future creations are in jeopardy.
The Sharing Tree, which has been serving the Tallahassee area as a safe place for children to create since 2009, has been struck by the COVID-19 pandemic.
"Our whole mission of getting people together has basically been at bay now since the pandemic, so I'm nervous and scared that this dream we've spent 11 years building is slowly fading away, and it's a bummer," said Sinnadurai.
Projects like painting positive messages on political signs that will eventually end up in yards around the city would ultimately stop.
"We really try to empower children, and this is one way to do it," Sinnadurai said. "And they can drive down and see and say, 'hey, I painted that sign, that's my message that I thought of,' and that's such an awesome a strong thing for a child to say."
Lisa Girard, whose daughter has been coming to The Sharing Tree for years, says the organization offers her daughter a place to play and be creative around other creative people.
"When we do art at home, it's just a couple of people, but when you're surrounded by a bunch of other people creating together, you automatically spin your energy off of each other," said Girard.
"I think it's deeply important that children have a space to go where they're comfortable to express themselves, but not only comfortable but that it's celebrated," Sinnadurai said.
The Sharing Tree, located in Midtown, offers do-it-at-home art kits to offset some of their costs like rent.
If you would like to pick up a kit or find out about the other programs they are offering, you can visit their studio at 218 East 3rd Avenue.
For more information or to donate, click here.
