Painting fundraiser to benefit American SIDS Institute May 11

Painting with a Twist art and social studio in Lewes will host a Painting with a Purpose charity event at 7 p.m., Thursday, May 11, to benefit Spring-for-SIDS, a national campaign to raise awareness about sudden infant death and to raise funds for research.

The studio will offer a two-hour class painting “Colors of the Moon,” taught by Painting with a Twist artist and local resident Loretta Ellingsworth. She heads the local Spring-for-SIDS team in memory of her infant daughter Harper. No painting experience is needed, and the event will include complimentary wine, beer and light fare snacks. To sign up, go to paintingwithatwist.com/lewes/calendar.

Each month, franchisees from across the nation hold painting fundraisers through the Painting with a Purpose program to benefit local charities. For this event, 50 percent of the proceeds will be donated to The American SIDS Institute. To date, Painting with a Twist studios have raised more than $3.2 million for nonprofit organizations.

"We're honored to support Spring-for-SIDS with this second annual painting fundraiser. We had a great turnout last year, and through the generosity of our guests, raised much-needed funds for this important effort to provide family support," says John Peterson, owner of Painting with a Twist - Lewes.

The American SIDS Institute is dedicated to the prevention of sudden infant death and the promotion of infant health through research, education and family support. To raise funds, organizations across the country band together to join the fight against sudden infant death by encouraging their employees, students, members, customers and friends to participate in Spring-for-SIDS events. For more information, go to www.springforsids.org.