Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz has presented a proclamation to a 10-year-old Danbury girl as she donated art supplies this week to veterans the Danbury Vet Center.  Chelsea Phaire founded Chelsea’s Charity around her birthday last August whe she asked her party guests to bring art supplies as a donation in lieu of gifts for herself.  The organization is dedicated to providing art supplies and lessons to children in an order to promote social-emotional and mental health. 

Chelsea says her art keeps her going.  When she finishes a project, Chelsea says it helps her self esteem to see the potential she has as an artist.

Chelsea wants to expand her donations to hospitals, shelters and orphanages.  She has a website where people can purchase an art kit, made by Chelsea, for $20.  Her goal is to make 50,000 kits for kids by 2021.  She also teaches children some of her favorite art techniques, working with children on special skills. 

To date, Chelsea's Charity has distributed over 700 art kits to children and adults in New York, Connecticut, New Jersey and Texas.  She is making 300 kits for a school in Haiti next month. 

Bysiewicz leads the Govenror's Council on Women and Girls.  She says lifitng up women and girls lifts up every family in the state.  Bysiewicz works with Veteran Affiars Commission Tom Saadi, of Danbury to recognized veterans in each municipalitiy.  She honored all World War II veterans, by town, when she was Secretary of the State.  They are now honoring Korean Veterans and Vietnam Veterans.