NORTH MANCHESTER – Under the direction of art teacher Hannah Burnworth, eighth-grade students at Manchester Junior-Senior High School will create pieces of art made from discarded wooden chairs, which will be auctioned later this summer in support of Relay for Life North Manchester. The art project will begin in May and be completed before the end of school. The Chairs of Hope Project was developed by Jim Hunt while teaching at Lincoln Heights Magnet Elementary in Fuquay-Varina, N.C. The program began its association with the Garner Relay for Life to benefit the American Cancer Society. The project is being initiated at Manchester as a way to allow students to offer their gifts of creativity to impact the lives of others in their community. The theme “Hope Takes Flight” has been chosen for their inspiration to create. “It’s exciting to think that the teens in our community will use their talents to reach into the lives of others. Our hope is that they will discover a sense of unity and ownership in their community as well as be encouraged in their gifts,” stated Sebrena Cline, event chair. “I was thrilled that Mrs. Burnworth could fit this in their schedule and am looking forward to the auction this summer.” Help is needed to accomplish the goal and the community is invited to partner with the students and the Chairs of Hope Project through donations of sturdy wooden chairs. Thirty-eight chairs are needed so that each student in the class will have the opportunity to participate. Also, because funds are limited, monetary donations for paint, brushes and polyurethane are appreciated. “There are times in our lives, whether we are fighting an illness or simply experiencing life, when we need a place of rest … these chairs symbolize a safe place to stop and just ‘be’ while we catch our breath in living,” she said. If you are interested in helping with this project, contact Cline at 260-578-1398.
