Saffron, 17 years old, VA | NEEDED BY 11/06

Wish submitted by:

Saffron loves designing fun nail art. A sunset on one thumb, a night sky with stars on a ring finger, a field of wildflowers across a whole hand: her friends line up at lunch just to see what she’ll create next, and they hold their breath as she works, as if one wrong move could smudge a masterpiece. Saffron entered foster care at a young age and has lived in more than one home and school. Through every change, creating things has been her way of making a place feel like hers. She doodles on every surface, strings beads into bracelets, and turns plain items into one-of-a-kind pieces. It started as a way to pass the time, and it became a way to survive. When her words fail her, her hands never do. Saffron is shy, thoughtful, and quietly brilliant, with a self-doubt that she hides behind her art. She worries that nobody will take her talent seriously, and she has been told more than once that she should find something more “practical.” But she dreams of becoming a licensed nail technician and someday owning her own salon, a place where every client leaves feeling beautiful and every artist is encouraged.

Nails are Saffron’s favorite canvas, but she’s been working with a few worn-out polishes and brushes that make it hard to bring her ideas to life. A nail kit with a variety of colors, fine detail brushes, and tools would let her practice new designs and build her skills. It would also help her create a portfolio she can be proud of as she works toward her goal of becoming a licensed technician. For a young woman with real talent, the right supplies make all the difference. Your gift would give Saffron the tools to grow her art and her skills, and a step closer to her dream.