Fundred Reserve @Eaton DC Closing

For Immediate Release: Thursday, May 30, 2019

Contact: Amanda Wiles (Fundred), amanda@fundred.org

—-MEDIA ADVISORY—-

Fundred Reserve Program Celebrates CASH investment of 475,000 Americans to End Childhood Lead Poisoning, Applauds Lead Free Housing for Kids Act as Step Towards Safety for All

Twelve years, fifty states and a half million Fundred Dollar Bills bring creativity and policy solutions to advocate for healthy communities

(WASHINGTON)—Artists from the Fundred Project will host Members of Congress, staff and activists at an evening reception to celebrate an artistic presentation about childhood lead poisoning on Saturday, June 8, 2019, at 6:00-8:00 p.m. ET at Eaton DC, Washington D.C. Press are invited to attend the evening reception that will showcase the art and activism being done to address lead poisoning across the country. Staff from the offices of Senators Portman (OH), Scott (SC), and Durbin (IL) will be on hand to thank participants and speak to the newly introduced Lead Free Housing for Kids Act of 2019.

The reception will include a tour of the artistic presentation displayed at Eaton DC that consists of nearly a half a million individually hand drawn dollar bills. These “Fundreds,” many of them drawn by children, represent the expressed value of ending the invisible threat of lead poisoning. 

Families who have participated  in the Fundred Project from New Orleans and Flint will share their stories. The Fundred “cash” represents the value of their voice against the threat of lead poisoning whether it comes from water, soil, paint, toys or dust.

Over the past six months, the Fundred Project has brought 27 Fundred artists and advocates–more than half affected by lead poisoning–from New Orleans, Flint, Grand Rapids, Cincinnati, Omaha, Boston and Queens. While here they participated in creative and connecting activities and met with their elected officials on Capitol Hill to share personal stories and discuss actions to protect public health. Eaton DC is hosting families in DC for this program, along with an exhibition of the Fundred Reserve; the exhibition closes Sunday June 9.

Carol Atlow, New Orleans resident and original Fundred Project participant, brought her grandsons to DC in April and will also attend the June 8 reception. She attests to the impact of the seeing the Fundred Reserve: “When I look at the Fundreds, I’m so enthused that these kids came along and did this for us. Not just for my kids, but for everybody.” On meeting with Senators and Representatives in DC, Atlow says: “When they were talking to me, they understood where we all (were) coming from, and what the problem was. Meeting the House Speaker made me feel so good.  She shook my hand and said such wonderful words and I’ve never had that happen to me. ”

Here are the details of the closing celebration: