By Amanda Foust
The Carmel Mayor’s Youth Council recently donated the proceeds from its Pumpkinfest fundraiser to Art With a Heart, an organization that offers hands-on art education for at-risk children.
Pumpkinfest, an annual family-friendly event, raised $500 in its second year.
“It’s a fun event where kids come out with their parents in costume and watch the parade we have for them,” said CMYC president Neil Shah. Event co-chairs this year were Molly Frank, Shivam Bhargava and Maddy Hilger.
Art With a Heart will use the funds from Pumpkinfest to help provide an art teacher to a school that is lacking in resources.
If classes aren’t available in schools, Art With a Heart is a way for students to express themselves,” Shah said.
Giving back to the community is at the core of CMYC. The group is run by 28 students from three high schools in Carmel. The group has three key pillars: community involvement, service and civic dialogue.
“We organize new youth-oriented events to spread excitement, volunteer through a variety of organizations, and create civic dialogue between teenagers and the city,” Shah said.
Other community events that involving CMYC are Holiday On the Square and Carmel Parks and Recreation’s extended school enrichment programs.
“All 28 students on the Council went through a rigorous application process to gain their position, and all are committed to their city,” Shah said.
April 2016 is the next opportunity for local high school students to apply for a position with CMYC.
