Stars of HOPE
Stars of HOPE is a program started after 9/11 by the New York Says Thank You Foundation to bring hope to people who have experienced a disaster. Participants paint 12"x12" stars that are then sent on to disaster sites across the country and around the world to bring color and kind thoughts to the landscape.
We brought the program to almost every 5th grader in the county. Their stars have been hung all around the county to bring hope to the hardest hit communities in Bay County.
If you've seen a star, you may want to send hope back to the children with a thank you note to them and the entire school. You can find the addresses of the participating schools below. Please address your envelope with "Child's Name, Stars of HOPE" so the school know to give the letter to the art teacher who managed the project.
Bay Arts Alliance brought the Stars of HOPE program to Bay County with the help of the New York Says Thank You Foundation, American Art Therapy Association, Florida Art Therapy Association, and Colart.
See all the stars on our Facebook page.
Participating schools
Consider sending hope back to the 5th graders who painted the stars by writing a thank you note to the school (and specific child) who created a star that touched your heart.
Address the letter to the "Child's Name, Stars of HOPE" or "Art Teacher, Stars of HOPE" if there is no child's name on the star.