Sharing Works

Ten-year-old's drawing appears on card, in ad

If a picture is worth a thousand words, then what's the value of the picture on the holiday card many of you received this year from Sempra Energy?

It's priceless.

That's because that picture was drawn by Yesenia G., a 10-year-old who was fighting cancer at Children's Hospital and San Diego Hospice. And, she drew it thanks to support from ARTS (A Reason To Survive).

A reason to survive
ARTS, which receives support from Sempra Energy, is a nonprofit group that provides artistic programs for children and families facing adversity in San Diego County. Volunteer artists from the San Diego area give their time and creativity to make a difference in the lives of these children.

ARTS began four years ago with just $5,000. Today, it helps more than 4,000 kids each year—kids like Yesenia—feel the healing power of art.

Opened lots of doors
Matt D'Arrigo, ARTS' founder and executive director, looks at his group's growth with pride, and says, "The support from Sempra Energy has opened a lot of doors for us. Not only has Sempra Energy provided funding and volunteers, but the legitimacy the program gets because of Sempra Energy's involvement has also increased our funding from other sources and expanded our reach."

Molly Cartmill, Sempra Energy's director of Community Relations & Corporate Events, has just as much respect for ARTS and the comfort it provides to the children and their families:

"We're thrilled to 'partner' with the ARTS group," she says. "Just as their volunteer artists make a difference in the lives of San Diego youth, Sempra Energy makes a difference by supporting ARTS and hundreds of other organizations dedicated to improving our communities and the people in them."

Joy for life
Yesenia's drawing not only became a cheerful holiday card for Sempra Energy, it also appeared this fall in one of a unique series of ads sponsored by Sempra Energy that people who live in Southern California saw in area publications. Each of these ads focused on a charitable group that Sempra Energy supports and the people who add to its success.

Matt D'Arrigo from ARTS and Yesenia G. are two of those people. And, although Yesenia later lost her battle with cancer, her drawing lives on to remind everyone who sees it of her spirit and joy for life.