Hearts of Hope Newtown has exciting news ahead of its October 18 Painting Event.

For those who have you ever wondered how a Heart of Hope was born, Wednesday evening's gathering will provide the answers. Hearts of Hope Founder and Executive Director Judy Pederson will have a box of unprocessed clay with her, as well as a portable press and some cookie cutters when she arrives in Sandy Hook.

Ms Pederson will demonstrate the process of creating a Hearts of Hope heart. She will then allow guests to try their hand at the process as well.

Painting parties are held in the lower hall of Newtown United Methodist Church, 92 Church Hill Road, from 6:30 to 8:30 pm. All ages and artistic abilities are welcome. Painters can create their own designs, and HOH-Newtown is adding a new feature for those who say they cannot paint. A limited supply of hearts will be available that have pictures already drawn onto them. Painting party guests will just need to be able to fill in the spaces, and enjoy the feeling of creating a unique work of art.

Hearts of Hope launched in New York in January 2002 in response to 9/11. It is a pay it forward program where people paint clay hearts with simple images and messages of hope, which are then delivered to individuals and places that have gone through a tragedy or are in need of a positive message.

The clay hearts and painting supplies are provided for each painting session. Attendees are asked to make a donation of $5 for each clay heart they paint to the 501(c)(3) organization to help cover the costs of supplies.

Each heart is put into a maroon nylon bag, with a note card from the painter to the recipient, along with a note about Hearts of Hope. The nylon bag is then put into a clear cellophane envelope so that the entire package is protected if hearts are hung in public places in inclement weather. The hearts are meant to be found and taken home by those who find them.

Registration is requested and can be done through Evenbrite, by sending a message through facebook.com/HeartsOfHopeOfNewtownCt, or by sending an e-mail to newtown@ourheartsofhope.org.

Each month, the Newtown group tries to focus its creations on a specific group. Last month HOH-Newtown created hearts for those affected by recent hurricanes as well as for patients and staff of Walter Reed Hospital in Bethesda, Md. This month's party will create hearts for Guiding Eyes for The Blind, which partners a dog for someone who is visually impaired to help them live life to the fullest.

Additional information concerning the Newtown group is available by calling 203-828-8103 or sending an e-mail to triciagiggles314@aol.com.

[mappress mapid="1008"]