Young Kingston artist uses talent to help homeless, veterans

A Kingston youngster is using her talents to help the homeless.

Ten-year-old Lylia Essaddam is selling gnome-themed valentine cards with proceeds going to Martha’s Table, a local non-profit organization that provides low-cost nutritious meals to those in need,

She designs and paints the cards, selling for $5 apiece. Her ultimate goal is to raise more than $1,000 by February 14th.

“I’ve been there and I saw homeless and I felt really bad because they really weren’t dressed-up well,” said Essaddam. “They had ripped shirts, some of them. I know some of them are sick and they have issues.”

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This is nothing new for the grade 5 student. Last December, Essaddam created 200 holiday cards with proceeds also going to Martha’s Table.

This time around, she’s doing some military-themed gnome cards that will benefit Veterans Affairs Canada’s, ‘Valentines for Vets’ project.

As for the creative process, Essaddam says that continues.

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“I have so many creations,” she said. “Like one on a farm, one in a zoo and stuff like that. And sometimes I’ll do a lot of the gnomes together. I do my creations and picture what I can do in my head.”

For more on the fundraiser go to ‘Gnome for a Home’ Facebook page.

WATCH: The Morning Show meets 10 year old Lylia, who’s dream is to abolish homelessness in Kingston

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