Contact: Rachel Winburn
Phone: (910) 444-1743
Email: info@rhfnow.org
Website: https://rhfnow.org/

Rick Herrema Foundation Receives Arts Council Grant to Fund Messy Monday Art Program for Military Families

FAYETTEVILLE, NC – The Rick Herrema Foundation (RHF) is excited to announce the funding of its beloved Messy Monday program through a generous grant of $5,750 from the Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County. This support will enable RHF to continue offering the multi-media art program free of charge to military families during the 2024-2025 season, promoting creative expression and fostering community connections through engaging hands-on art experiences.

“With Messy Monday, we’re able to create a space where military families can engage in art activities that encourage self-expression and strengthen family bonds,” said Abby Barnett, Director of Operations at RHF. “The grant from the Arts Council has made it possible for us to extend these creative opportunities at no cost, supporting families who may otherwise have limited access to the arts.”

Messy Monday takes place three Mondays out of the month and features a variety of art experiences, including painting, sculpture, and mixed media. This program offers military families a chance to relax, recharge, and bond with one another and the broader military community. So far this year, Messy Monday has attracted over 1,675 participants, underscoring its popularity and its significant impact on the local military community. Each session creates an atmosphere of joy and creativity, enhancing family resilience through shared experiences in a supportive environment.

One participant shared, “I LOVED it! This is a program that my whole family looks forward to. It’s perfect for all ages! I've been attending since my children were 3 and 5 years old, and now almost 6 and 8 years old. It is still just as fun!”

Funding from the Arts Council allows RHF to sustain Messy Monday and other impactful arts programs, enriching the lives of military families and enhancing the cultural landscape of Cumberland County.

About the Rick Herrema Foundation
The Rick Herrema Foundation was established in memory of SFC Rick Herrema, who was killed in action during Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2006. RHF works to strengthen relationships and build community for military families through enjoyable, high-quality activities. Central to RHF is Rick’s Place, a 50-acre greenspace located just 5.5 miles from Ft. Liberty, where free events and programs are held for military families.

About the Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County
The Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization based in Fayetteville, NC. The Council connects communities, embraces diversity, promotes individual creativity, advances economic development, and fosters lifelong learning through the arts. As a primary steward of public and private funding for arts, cultural, and historical activities in the Cape Fear Region, the Arts Council exemplifies values of Excellence, Accountability, Transparency, Collaboration, and Innovation.

In the 2023-2024 year, the Arts Council distributed over $1 million in grant funds and special allocations to artists, non-profit organizations, institutions of higher education, and municipal offices producing arts and cultural activities.

Grants, programs, and services of the Arts Council are funded in part by contributions from community partners and through grants from the City of Fayetteville, Cumberland County, and the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural & Cultural Resources.



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