The Pleasant Valley High School chapter of the Future Business Leaders of America is running an Art for Veterans donation drive. Both purchased and handmade artwork that can be hung on a wall is being collected this week at the high school.

On Veterans Day, the FBLA will present the artwork during an assembly at the high school to representatives of Paul’s House in Jonas and the VALOR Clinic Foundation in Brodheadsville.

The idea for the drive was that of Jaxson Havens, a junior and member of the FBLA. The chapter’s adviser, Denise Hopely, said she selected Havens to lead the community service project, because he is well-spoken and active in the community.

When he came back to her with his idea in early October, she said, “Stellar. Let’s do it. We always want to remember our veterans.”

Havens said he came up with the idea, because his father is a veteran and both of his parents are artistic.

“When I think of what makes a house a home, I think of the artwork on the walls,” he said.

Havens said he wanted the veterans living in the transitional housing to feel like they have something of their own to hang on the walls, something they can take with them when they are ready to leave.

“This is something we will give them to put in their own homes once they get them,” he said.

The theme of the project is “upbeat.”

“We wouldn’t want to put sad artwork into homes of veterans going into transitional living,” Havens said.

The FBLA chapter had accumulated about 30 pieces of artwork by the end of October and are expecting more to arrive this week. They have pledges of artwork that will amount to about 70 pieces in all, but they are open to accepting more.

“Once people heard about this, they asked how they can help,” Hopely said.

The artwork collected so far has been provided through paint parties donations and by high school Principal Matthew Triolo, PVHS art director George Boudman, PVHS art teacher Elizabeth Negron and state Rep. Jack Rader. Havens said he and his parents and friends have also donated paintings they have created.

He said he wasn’t sure if they were going to get enough artwork, but he kept thinking positive about it. And he figured that even if they only got 20 paintings, then that is still something they can offer to the veterans.

He said it’s a good thing what they’re doing.

“They’re good people,” he said about the veterans.