[Media] Donated Painting Raises $1 Million for Charity

Report by: IMN, Interplanetary Media Network

This serene naturist painting by Ajkadi artist 'Aida' has raised up to a million dollars for Deyshian children's orphanages and other noble causes, says fundraising officials in Tyton on Deysha-II; Canaan System. The painting is on display this week at the Tyton Art Gallery, and it stands at nine feet tall and three feet across. At first glance, it depicts an elderly man crossing a footbridge behind a towering tropical tree. However, when the viewer looks more closely, the painting is laced with ornately detailed symbolism that follows the man throughout his life's journey and hints at the struggles that he has endured while making his way across the bridge.

"We offered her anything we thought she could want - even a private apartment in the same building as the art studio so she could stay here while she worked on it," says studio director and art curator Mark Meinenhaus. "She said 'no thanks' to the rest, and just asked for enough studio space for the canvas and her supplies. That was it." He estimates that she came in and out of the studio throughout the timespan of three years to work on it, usually for a few hours each day. Even when she would unexpectedly be gone for months at a time in her travels, she would always return to work on the painting.

Even after what other artists say must have been "hundreds or even thousands of hours" invested in the painting, Aida has allowed the Tyton Art Gallery to auction it on her behalf under the stipulation that 100% of the proceeds go to non-profit charities. When the high bid reached just over one million dollars in Deyshian currency, the studio was reportedly "pleased that it could help Aida contribute selflessly to a good cause" and chose that the amount be split up across dozens of charities, most notably under-funded children's orphanages, schools, and education programs in Duna City and the outskirts of Tyton.

Upon being reached for comment by reporters, Aida declined to make any statement or give an interview regarding her work. The renowned artist, who goes by nothing but her pseudonym Aida, is revered in art circles across the world for her patient and timeless style, intricate level of detail, and simplistic symbolism of overcoming human conflict and struggles.

Mark Meinenhaus of the Tyton Art Gallery has continued fundraising efforts on behalf of Aida and petitioned for various interplanetary charities from across Crest to continue supporting the fundraiser. Requests would be sent to all colonies asking for modest donations which would continue to fund the expansion and upgrading of orphanages and nonprofit establishments with limited funding, such as the Reach a Star Foundation and Ajkadi-operated homeless shelters for people of any nationality, which hope to expand beyond Deysha-II and to other colonies.

((Fishing for responses here folks XD))

O.M.N.E Corporation would make a donation to the fundraiser to be split however was best and would release a news broadcast as well.

Richard would be sitting sitting in front of a desk that was not his own and once the camera panned slightly it would be obvious he was in some kind of school room on the OMNE station, small children reading or playing with each other showing it was probably recess for the children.

"Here at O.M.N.E Corporation we believe in nurturing and helping children all across the Crest sector in ever way we can, thats why over the past few weeks O.M.N.E Corporation had been doing its own fundraiser in Eli-Station to raise money to send to those in need. For every thousand credits made the OMNE corporation matched the amount given and we came up with an incredible three hundred thousand credits. I would like to thank the incredibly generous people of Eli-station and the Eli outposts for their contribution."

A small child would run up to Richard and he would playfully ruffle the kid's hair, who seemed to love the attention.

Richard smiled at the camera "Remember, O.M.N.E Corporation cares."

::Cascadia would send roughly half a million crest currency to be distributed as the charity saw fit and a deed to a 5.5 acre newly abandoned lot in one of cascadia's major cities for use to contruct a new orphanage, hospital, or childrens center, what ever the charity saw fit.

Novalyse did not directly donate funds to the charity however, many organizations, federal branches, and Novalysian citizens made donations.  The Novalysian department of child development donated approximately 250,000$ credits to the cause and issued a statement of support.  Many volunteer organizations based in aiding orphaned children, which is highly prominent in Novalyse, donated a total of 100,000$ in support of the paintings cause. Civilians across Novalyse donated in total approximately 175,000$ credits.  In total, approximately 525,000$ credits were given by people and institutions throughout the colony of Novalyse.


"Many children here in Novalyse are orphans due to the conflict with the planet's wildlife.  Because of this, we feel a strong connection to all those who have lost one or both parents throughout their childhood.  The Dept of Child Development is in full support of this artwork and the charities it is supporting.  We would like to offer 250,000$ credits to support this cause and help orphaned children throughout the Sector.  The Department has also issued a motion in the Novalysian Legislation to donate clear and safe lands within Skyre and the safe bordering territories for colonial facilities.  Thank you for your dedicated and diligent work in helping children throughout Crest Miss Aida.

Kris Stark,
Dept of Child Development"

On behalf of the A.D.R., a government funding center issued a federal grant to the charity for expenses in the amount of $7,500. It seemed meager compared to the other massive donations, but nonetheless was meant to be a nice gesture. The A.D.R. made no public comment on it except to say that they hoped to continue supporting the charity in the future when it was more economically feasible for them.

However, a separate message from a non-government entity was sent to Meinenhaus and the organizers of the charity in Deysha.

"On behalf of the University of Rescenta staff and faculty, we strongly support your cause and would like to extend our gratitude to those who have donated to the nonprofit charities supporting orphaned and disabled children. I would like to offer the following proposal to the administrators of the various orphanages, children's hospitals, and the Reach a Star Foundation:

We here at UOR believe that children are the future, and the best way to prepare the next generation is through the highest quality educational experiences possible. We understand the financial difficulties and other barriers which often prevent students from more difficult economical situations to attend an institution of higher learning. The UOR would like to establish a scholarship program for full tuition to be offered annually for up to ten children of the highest academic levels in the intercolonial nonprofit programs. The scholarships will include all necessary preliminary vocational and training programs, all expenses paid including room-and-board, for any course of study that the students choose to pursue. We hope to support the growth of these children to be the best they can be and achieve great things in spite of any challenges.

Thank you,

Xenon Smith
Office of Financial Aid, University of Rescenta"

O.M.N.E Corporation would send another message out regarding the fundraiser. This time it was from Aila Renolds, one of the Board Members of O.M.N.E Corporation.

"We at O.M.N.E Corporation understand that education is incredibly important for our children's future, and with that education should come a world of possibilities. Employment across many fields of interest whether it be designing new and better space craft, filming next years best films, or creating the newest fashion trends across crest. At O.M.N.E Corporation, we nurture and encourage the creativity and ingenuity of our employees and want them to grow and create the future. O.M.N.E Corporation has instituted a internship program for those teenagers already able to join the workforce, and to the future generations. Children who have been cared for buy these various charity organizations will be bumped to the top of the list, to make sure they get the special help they need to make their future brighter."

New Ajka'el representatives sent out the following message.

"We would like to thank the people of Crest for your generosity in supporting our goal to provide struggling children a better foundation upon which to improve their lives and reach for the future. Altogether, the Ajkadi artist Aida's efforts to raise awareness have helped to gather more donations than anyone had hoped or expected. This would not have been possible without every individual who came forth to make a difference. Thank you."

New children's orphanages, hospitals, and community centers started to pop up across the sector. Together they helped to serve thousands of disadvantaged children from all walks of life. With new opportunities such as college scholarships and quality internships, the future never looked so bright for them.

Construction started for new buildings on donated plots of land for safe, efficient, comfortable, state-of-the-art facilities to best serve the communities' needs. Particularly the new Cascadian and Novalysian sites had promising plans. The Duna City Children's Center on Deysha-II was scheduled for a complete renovation. It was evident that the donations and new opportunities had breathed in a new sense of ambitious hope and truly made a difference in many lives across Crest.