Riley Eckert, from age 4, showed a passion to paint. Her grandmother, Margaret R. Gotthold, who Riley called her “strongest cheerleader,” continually inspired and encouraged Riley to pursue her art.

In early 2019, when Margaret passed away, Riley was devastated. To honor her grandmother, Riley created Art Four The Heart, a non-profit within which she creates and sells custom, hand-painted drawings on clothing, mainly jackets, hats, and sneakers.

Riley enlisted friends to help with the artwork, promotion, and fundraising. She uses her own money, with help from her family, to purchase needed art supplies. Riley then donates proceeds to the American Heart Association, in memory of her grandmother. Within its first year, Art Four the Heart raised over $700. Riley’s mom, Joan, explained, “Creating the charity helped Riley cope with her grandmother’s death.”

Riley, a junior at Cherokee High School in Marlton, New Jersey, received her school’s Volunteer of the Year Award, an honor typically bestowed on seniors. She was also spotlighted on PBS 39 as “Artist of the Month” in an interview by Brittany Sweeney.

Riley’s dad, Fred, explained, “Painting is Riley’s way of focusing and releasing her energy. You can tell she truly enjoys painting.”

(Marlton, New Jersey:  2019 – 2020)