Mother-Daughter Using Their Hearts for Haiti

"Mom, what can we do?"

That's how it began. With a third-grader's questions to her mother about what she herself could do in the aftermath of the devastation in Haiti to help the people in their time of need.

And that was all Lauren Cantor needed to put Hearts for Haiti in motion. What has been created is a non-profit project that will raise money to donate to the relief effort through the American Red Cross. The money will come through the sale of original artwork from Madison-area artists, which will be printed on 4x6-inch cards, printed on recycled paper.

The artwork can be purchased as a set of all 20 different designs for $15 or individual cards for $1. The art cards, which can be used as note cards, postcards, or framed for home use, can be purchased through Madison businesses (click here for a list) and at the borough's school districts.

Cantor and her daughter Elle began thinking, and working, after Elle's question, having no idea how big an impact their decision to reach out could be.

"We were watching "Good Morning America," Lauren Cantor said. "This was a couple of days after the disaster–the first time we had seen it. She said, 'Mom, what can we do? Can I send clothes?' I told her they are saying they just want money right now. She said, 'Can we make something to make money? Can we do a lemonade stand?' I told her that it was probably too cold right now."

After another couple of suggestions, the two thought about having students at Torey J. Sabatini Elementary School–where Elle Cantor attends third grade–do an art show where the students could make and create art to sell for the relief effort.

Lauren Cantor had attended an event previously in Madison which was part of an art tour, and had saved the business card of one particular artist whose work had impressed her. She called the artist, who was very interested in the cause and creating art to sell for the project. More importantly, he set her up with contacts who were able to bring in even more volunteers, art, and materials to help with the project.

Also helping to snowball the event was Lauren Cantor's decision to walk into Tivoli Creative Design Studio to speak with Melanie Tomaszewski about the design element for the project.

"I had come here to talk to Melanie from a design standpoint," Lauren Cantor said. "I said, 'I'm thinking of doing this, do you think I can approach Staples?' She told me, 'Bring them here, don't even worry about it.' "

And that's when things began to take off. Lauren Cantor said at that time all she really had was the one artist, no art, Tomaszewski saying she'd print it, and she was only pitching the project to Torey J. Sabatini Elementary School.

However, Principal Michael Post loved the idea so much that he asked the other schools in Madison if they'd like to participate, which they did. Artists also started flocking to the project after Tomaszewski approached Greg Egan of Gallery MacEgan in Morristown, who has been very supportive and has personally supplied some of the pieces of art.

Another more chance happening was how Tomaszewski was able to get someone to print the job to not only save money, but lessen the impact on the environment as well by cutting down on distance.

"This man was walking by the studio," Tomaszewski said. "He came in and said, 'I never pass up an easy sales call.' ... I was going to use a company from across the country. The guy (Philip McGee) says he owns a full-service print service (The Wall Street Group) in Jersey City and he can do it for a reduced rate."

Of course, he wasn't the only person or group to reach out. The amount is almost too long to list. Scott Farbman created the Web site for the non-profit project. The Madison Chamber of Commerce has been a huge force, along with the Madison Arts & Culture Alliance. Businesses, groups, and people have all reached out to help. For a list of all of the sponsors for Hearts for Haiti, click here.

A celebration officially kicking off the project will take place on Thursday at the Chocolate Rose Shoppe from 7-9 p.m. at 7 Waverly Place. Hearts for Haiti will continue to accept sponsors and donations. The cards are what Lauren Cantor hopes will be only the first phase for the non-profit project. She hopes the second phase will include T-shirts featuring artwork. For a full list of art and artists (some are posted with this story) click here.