In July 2019, we had the honor to have such an incredible experience working with underprivileged kids in India. Anika Art Foundation sponsored and hosted an art camp with 250 kids under the brutal heat of 102 degrees in Gurugram, India. These kids are from very poor families who cannot afford education. We were so moved to see that these kids don’t have even a roof to sit under for education, but had the enthusiasm and hunger to learn new things! We provided all the art supplies (drawing sheets and colors) and helped them to make beautiful artworks that brought Smiles to their faces. We decided to name this successful endeavor ‘Project Smile’ and wish to conduct such projects in parts of Asia and America over the next couple of years.

In December 2019, Anika Art Foundation held an art camp for the kids at an orphanage called Elizabeth Estates Children’s Home. There were about 25 to 30 kids at the orphanage, and Anika taught them basic sketching and coloring skills. Some of those kids had never done any artwork, but Anika helped them recognize their skills and each one of them was off to a good start within a couple of hours. This is Anika Art Foundation’s third endeavor for ‘Project Smile’ this year - starting with the Art workshop in India, then for the Southlake First Responders, and finally (and unexpectedly) for the children’s home in the Bahamas! The Elizabeth Estates Children’s Home was officially opened on the 30th April 1992, by the government of the Bahamas. The Home provides 24-hour care for up to 50 children between the ages of 11 and 17 years. In addition to accommodation, the Home aims to provide individual and group counseling to residents, liaise with other professionals and agencies that can support residents, and ultimately discharge residents to family units that meet the criteria to assist them in becoming productive citizens of The Bahamas

Anika Art Foundation is supporting this wonderful organization by donating four beautiful artworks made by Anika . These artworks will be up for the silent auction at this event “Boo Bash “ at Solana Marriott on Oct 23, 2021. "Summer Santa" was created to extend the spirit of giving throughout the year. They provide back-to-school supplies and clothing to economically disadvantaged children in Northeast Tarrant County.
Summer Santa, Inc. strives to enrich the well being of the children of Northeast Tarrant County experiencing life's challenges with life-changing experiences

In celebration of Valentine’s Day, Anika worked hard to make Valentine’s Day cards for Southlake Senior Citizens in February 2020. Involving the kids at the GCS Moms League Valentine’s kids party, we could make a community involvement and make our Southlake Senior Citizens happy on a lovely day. As it was part of our initiative, Project Smile, our goal is to make people happy through artistic ways.

Anika worked hard to make one hundred cards for our deployed troops through “Operation Gratitude”. This is a part of her “Project Smile “ initiative which she started in 2019 in the hopes of involving local communities to bring a smile to people’s faces through the works of art.
Every year, Operation Gratitude sends 300,000+ individually addressed Care Packages to Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen deployed overseas, to their children left behind, and to First Responders, New Recruits, Veterans, Wounded Heroes, and their CareGivers. Each package contains snacks, hygiene products, entertainment, and handmade items, as well as personal letters of support. Through Collection Drives, Letter Writing Campaigns, Craft Projects, and Care Package Assembly Events, Operation Gratitude provides civilians anywhere in America a way to say “Thank You” through active, hands-on volunteerism

In November 2019, we delivered all the Holiday cards created by all the kids who came to the Oktoberfest and Diwalifest Anika Art Foundation activity booths. This was another successful endeavor that was part of Project Smile, and it was really wonderful to see smiles on our first responder’s faces as we gave them the holiday cards and some healthy treats. They serve the Southlake Community on call and are always there when we need them in an emergency.

Christmas is a season of giving and bringing joy to others’ lives. Another successful endeavor of “Project Smile”. On December 18th, we delivered a painting “ Wings of Hope “ made by Anika for the Battered Women Foundation to bring hope and joy to the lives of the women who suffered from domestic violence. Battered Women’s Foundation is a visionary agency founded in 1995 to aggressively fight the growing problem of domestic violence. It takes more than temporary shelter to begin a new life of independence and self-sufficiency. It’s a 501(c)(3), faith-based organization that provides long-term assistance to women attempting to break the cycle of abuse and hopelessness.