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- Photography courtesy of Natalie Hebert.
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- Photography courtesy of Natalie Hebert.
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- Photography courtesy of Natalie Hebert.
An East Dallas neighbor enlisted the help of Freaks and Geeks actress Busy Philipps to secure more than $27,000 in art supplies to donate to thousands of migrant teens being held at the Dallas convention center.
Natalie Hebert, a DISD art teacher, was using her own supplies to lead teens in enrichment activities while volunteering with other art instructors on the weekends. When supplies ran low, she contacted Philipps, who featured Hebert on Instagram in 2018. That year, Philipps shared Hebert’s Amazon wish list so her fans would buy products she needed for the classroom.
Hebert sent Philipps a new Amazon wish list, which the actress shared on Instagram. Less than 24 hours later, donors had purchased more than $27,000 in supplies. Philipps even pitched in some origami paper.
Each teen will get a sketchbook and markers that they can keep at their cot. They’ll also get looms and yarn to work on when volunteers have left.
“They love to weave,” Hebert said. “We were hand-making the looms, but it took a long time. We got beads and feathers to make weaving more interesting. They’re pretty bored. They’ll be able to be creative during their free time.”
Other donations include paint sticks that dry within seconds, watercolor palettes, paint brushes and Model Magic for sculpting.
Hebert has received hundreds of boxes, which she stores in an art studio in the back of her home. Neighbors have volunteered to sort the items and help transport them to DISD.
“It’s amazing how much people want to help,” she said.
