Jar of Melted Crayon Hearts
Date2020
Credit LineGift of Aviel Hassan Karmali and Nashila Dharshi, London, Ontario, 2020.
Object number2020.008.001
Label TextFor Valentine’s Day 2020, five-year-old Aviel Dharshi made melted crayon hearts for his classmates. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, his parents made sure to explain what was happening around him while at the same time making sure that he felt safe. They did explain that some people were losing their jobs or being laid off. Some of those people struggled to buy groceries. Aviel wanted to help. With his mother’s help, he decided to make more melted-crayon hearts, sell them, and donate the money to the London Food Bank. In early April, Nashila posted on her Facebook page what Aviel was doing. She offered a package of 10 hearts for $2.50. In less than a week, she and Aviel had raised $370 for the London Food Bank with many more orders pouring in. Aviel knew that he was helping to make people happy with his crayon hearts and at the same time helping to fill some empty tummies. Aviel and Nashila received help with supplies and equipment from Hotel Metro. The crayon hearts are a wonderful example of a London child’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Although we have items linked to children and childhood, this particular offer of donation is special because we’re able to get the child’s perspective on what is being presented.
NameCrayon
