11-year-old to host art auction in support of ARCH Hospice

Eleven-year-old Rena Brouillard is taking something she loves doing in her free time, and using it to help ARCH Hospice and honour her great grandmother. 

The Grade 6 student at Boreal French Immersion enjoys painting and making art, and will be hosting a silent auction this Saturday for her artwork, with the proceeds going to ARCH Hospice. 

Brouillard lost her great grandmother two years ago, and spent the last of her days with her at ARCH. It was then that she decided she wanted to do something to help contribute to ARCH so that other families can have the same experience as her great grandmother and family did. 

“She wanted an opportunity to raise money and donate it to ARCH. When she had her experience at ARCH when her great grandma passed, she was learning through family and friends that they are funded through people doing fundraisers, donations and sponsorships so she really took an interest in helping out,” said Debbie McMillan, a close family friend. “She chose to do an auction because it was a fun way to have a gathering and let people make a donation of their choice.”

“Rena has been painting different portraits and drawings of all sorts with acrylic on canvas, wood, glass and porcelain for the past year. She does lots of scenery, animals, and just uses her imagination. She’s taken a real interest in it in the last few years and people have really noticed her ability and what she can do,” McMillan said.  

The silent auction will be at a private location for family and friends only, due to COVID-19.  

“When we were first talking about it we were hoping COVID-19 would be lifted and she could have made it more public, but we do need to respect the COVID-19 guidelines, so only close family and friends will be a part of it,” McMillan said. 

Despite Brouillard’s parents being completely supportive of her and providing the supplies she needs for her art, she has been doing extra chores so she can help purchase the supplies herself. 

“She’s such a thoughtful person and this is something that really means a lot to Rena. She’s always thinking about other people and what she’s doing is just tremendous. We could all learn from her on how to be caring, loving and giving,” McMillan said.