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Wreaths for charity

Gowanda student uses talents for local charities

OBSERVER Photos by Damian Sebouhian Jimmy Keller stands with his homemade wreath making machine he designed himself, a finished wreath and two recent chainsaw carvings. Keller will be selling his art this weekend, Nov. 25-26 and next weekend, Dec. 2-3 at Smith’s True Value in Irving.

SOUTH DAYTON — By now, it’s no surprise that young artist Jimmy Keller is as generous and giving as he is talented. As another winter holiday season rolls around, Keller is ready to embark on his seventh annual wreath sale and raffle to be held at Smith’s True Value in Irving this weekend and the weekend of Dec. 2-3.

As usual, all proceeds of the sale and raffle will go to local charities, including the Amanda Hansen Foundation, Hospice, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Pets for Vets, Healing with Horses, Habitat for Humanity and others.

Keller is adding a new charity to his donation list this year.“This year I wanted to include man’s best friend to the charitable mix,” said Keller. “A small portion of the proceeds will be set aside for an emotional support dog that would be trained. That furry friend will then be given to a veteran with PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder). It will be a ‘pawsitive’ life-changing gift that keeps on giving.”

Although only 15 years of age, Keller is a veteran wreath maker, who’s talent was in such high demand, he invented a wreath making clamp table to help expedite the process.

“I cut, gather, assort, assemble and position fresh pine greens into my homemade wreath machine until a perfect wreath is formed,” Keller explained. “They are decorated and kept in a cool, ventilated area until ready for delivery.”

The idea for making wreathes came as a suggestion from his father seven years ago when young Jimmy exclaimed to his parents that he was bored. After making his first few wreathes Jimmy kept at it and the idea grew from an activity to kill time to building up a stock of wreathes for the purpose of selling them.

“After I made the wreathes and went throughout the neighborhood and sold them, instead of keeping (the $93)…I decided to give it to different organizations and charities. (I realized) that there’s more people that need money than I do.”

Since that winter, Keller continued with his art, always keeping generosity in the forefront of his mind.

“Throughout my journey I have learned that not everything is about your self,” Keller told the OBSERVER. “These thought-out goals of mine have always been inspired by the lives I am changing and the smiles I am producing.”

Last year Keller raised just over $2,000 and he plans to match or exceed that mark this season.

Keller’s talents aren’t limited to wreath making, either.

“I’ve recently embarked upon a new project: chainsaw carving,” Keller said. “I am currently busy designing and chainsaw carving bears (and other animals) like turtles and crocodiles. Some of the carvings will be donated to the raffle that I’m having at Smith’s True Value.”

Keller will be demonstrating his chainsaw carving talent as a live performance during the Winter Fest at Chestnut Ridge on Jan. 28, 2018.

Keller is currently a sophomore at Gowanda High School.

“I would like to thank everyone, including the entire community who have participated in the success of my yearly project, especially my sister Allyson.”

To find out more about Jimmy Keller’s adventures in creativity, go to www.kellerscustomcreations.com.

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