Central Texas boy raises $2,000 for American Valor Foundation by selling his artwork
WACO, Texas (KWTX) - A Central Texas boy who used his artwork to raise money for a nonprofit that helps first responders, veterans and their families presented a check this weekend to American Valor Foundation at the annual Chris Kyle Memorial Benefit in San Antonio Saturday night for double his goal.
Gunner Caldara, 8, of West, was able to donate $2,000 to American Valor Foundation, which was founded by the local family of Navy Seal and sniper Chris Kyle, who was the subject of the Oscar-award winning film “American Sniper” and known as the deadliest sniper in U.S. history.
Gunner raised the money by selling items like t-shirts and hats with his simple artwork on it; a smiley face and the phrase “you are worth it.”
His goal was $1,000.
“I want to thank y’all for donating a lot of money to crush our goal of $1,000 and I just went to the Chris Kyle Memorial Benefit, and we just donated that money,” Gunner said with a smile.
With an American flag suit coat and personality as big as the room, Gunner presented the check on stage with a big smile to Jeff and Wayne Kyle, Chris’s father.
“I was going to try to do a $1,000, but we broke that by $1,000,” the young boy beamed.
Gunner has a special place in his heart for law enforcement. His mom and dad are both Waco police officers and his dad’s partner at work is Jeff Kyle, the brother of Chris and president of American Valor Foundation.
When Gunner found out about the work of the foundation, he knew he wanted to help.
“I picked American Valor Foundation to donate money to because I know a lot of first responders in my family and a lot of people who serve in the military especially Jeff Kyle, brother of Chris Kyle, so I just really love that I’m donating money to them to help people who served in the military and first responders,“ Gunner said. “I’m just really glad to get to partner with them.”
Gunner donated $500 to the foundation last year.
He has already set a lofty goal next year of $5,000.
If you’d like to help Gunner, you can find out more information on (1) Facebook.
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