East Dallas’ Tiana Svendsen and Preston Hollow’s Lilly Neubauer raised funds for refugees as SMU students. As parents, they’re even more dedicated to helping displaced families.

“When I think about mothers and children getting through crisis, I both know and can’t fathom their pain,” Neubauer says.

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“No matter what side of the fence — religiously, politically — you’re on, I just think there’s no such thing as somebody else’s children. That’s what got us fired up again.”

They created Bold Strokes, an artist collective supporting refugees. Its first event is a silent art auction slated Saturday, Sept. 9, at Northaven United Methodist Church.

Local professionals’ works are up for bid, but amateurs and hobby artists’ pieces are welcome, too, Svendsen says. There’s only one caveat: all of the content must be family-friendly. The deadline to submit artwork is Tuesday, Sept. 5.

The auction benefits Vickery Meadow’s Heart House Dallas, which provides academic and social-emotional programs to children who fled their home country.

“They’re not going to integrate and thrive and join us as efficient citizens until they’re able to deal with their past constructively,” Neubauer says of the programs’ importance.

The event kicks off at 5 p.m., and child care is available for $10. Get all the details here.