Throughout October, Monster Yogurt will host the Create-A-Monster art program to raise money for the nonprofit Dallas Art Therapy by selling craft sheets for families to decorate. Photo courtesy of Monster Yogurt.
It’s almost Halloween season, and Monster Yogurt, which has locations in Casa Linda Plaza and Richardson, has a way for families to engage in spookiness while also giving back to the community.
Monster Yogurt will host the Create-A-Monster art program throughout October to raise money for the nonprofit Dallas Art Therapy. The yogurt shop has been doing this for about five years.
“What we do is we sell craft sheets with different monsters on it and supplies for $1, and they can sit and decorate those, and we put them on the walls,” Monster Yogurt CEO and founder Ava Skipworth said to the Lakewood/East Dallas Advocate.
The craft sheets have pictures of cartoon monsters on them that kids can color and decorate with googly eyes, pipe cleaners and pom poms. To participate, families can come by either of the Monster Yogurt stores during operating hours, which are from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and noon to 9 p.m. Sundays. People can also grab craft sheets from the Monster Yogurt food truck if they see it out and about.
“The kids love doing it,” Skipworth said.
Monster Yogurt will donate the money raised from the sale of craft sheets to benefit “mental-health resources for children and caregivers” and “support Spectrum Stars,” according to a press release. Spectrum Stars is one of the nonprofit’s art therapy groups but specifically for kids ages 12-14 on the autism spectrum.
Dallas Art Therapy serves adults and youths, including veterans as well as teens and young adults experiencing homelessness, according to the nonprofit’s website.
“Create-A-Monster blends creativity with care, empowering families and neighbors to take an active role in healing,” Dallas Art Therapy Executive Director Andrea Davis said in the press release. “This is a powerful example of community leadership in action.”
Monster Yogurt CEO and founder Ava Skipworth wants to cover the walls with pictures from this year’s Create-A-Monster art program. Photo courtesy of Monster Yogurt.
This fundraising project came about because Skipworth befriended the Dallas Art Therapy founder, and they brainstormed this idea together to raise money and bring awareness to the nonprofit, Skipworth said.
“I know that’s a service that a lot of people need,” she said. Skipworth elaborated in the press release: “Art therapy helps kids process emotions in a safe, creative space, and strong communities are built on stewardship and shared leadership. We’re proud to lead this effort in Dallas, bringing families together to support a cause that strengthens our neighborhoods.”
Last year, Monster Yogurt donated about $400 to Dallas Art Therapy, Skipworth said. She doesn’t have a specific fundraising goal set for this year but hopes a lot of families will participate.
“I’d like every inch of the walls to be covered,” Skipworth said. “I want to have to repaint the whole store because we ripped the paint off with the tape.”
