East Texans recently gathered in Longview for "Chalk Your Heart Out," a free community event designed to allow creative expression while benefiting local causes. The initiative, described by Candy Palmer, President of Chalk Your Heart Out, as being "about locals loving locals and just giving back," brought residents together to use art as a means of caring for the community.
During the event, participants created their own unique chalk masterpieces on various surfaces. The goal was to secure one of the top three places in the friendly competition. Critically, the winnings from the competition were not for personal gain but were directly donated to a local nonprofit selected by each winning artist. The first-place artist earned $500 to donate, while the second-place winner directed $300, and the third-place participant contributed $100 to their chosen charity. Hunter Martin, an event coordinator and board member for Chalk Your Heart Out, emphasized that the core purpose of the gathering was "bringing the community together."
The free nature of the event was a significant draw for many, including parent Sarah Williamson, who participated and chose Buckner International as her intended beneficiary. Williamson shared her admiration for the organization, stating, "I love what they do. I’m not in a position myself to be able to go with their services at the moment but I hope to in the future., so I just really support what they do." She highlighted the value of an accessible activity without financial burden, explaining, “Anybody who can’t afford to go to the fair or something -- they can come here and have a good time without worrying about what it’s gonna cost. And they can give back to the community in the same way!” Candy Palmer underscored this commitment to accessibility, noting, "I’m a mom of five so I totally know that you can’t just do everything that you would like to do, so we wanted to provide something that everybody can come to."
Beyond the charitable aspect, the event also served as a platform for personal expression and advocacy. Artist Natalee Uribe, for instance, used the opportunity to support others while conveying a message dear to her heart. Uribe’s artwork prominently featured a representation of Jesus, reflecting her belief that "it’s important for this message to be shared in the world."
Looking ahead, organizers of Chalk Your Heart Out expressed optimism for the event's future. They hope to expand the competition in the coming years, aiming to increase the total donation money available and, consequently, support an even greater number of nonprofits across the East Texas region.
