She uses her gift for painting to feed hungry seniors

After retiring, Diane Chambers took up her old hobby of painting watercolors. Through her art, she discovered a new purpose that has not only helped her overcome health issues but also allowed her to improve the lives of seniors in her community

- Diane Herbst

Diane Chambers carefully selected about 25 of her hand-painted bright watercolors of f lowers, streams and lush trees and took them to a local Asheville, North Carolina, arts and crafts fair with the hope of selling them. Diane had never sold any of her artwork before. In fact, she had only recently gotten back to painting since retiring.

That day, she sold five paintings, each priced at $25. Diane was proud and thrilled. Not just because people liked her work—but because she had decided to donate all of her earnings to the local Meals on Wheels. She even had customers write their checks directly to the program.

Heading home, Diane felt a warmth inside and her heart filled with joy at having found a new purpose.

I can paint, which is something I love, and help others at the same time, she thought enthusiastically.

Rekindling an old love