Tulsa artist helps a grieving family

There was a movie about 5 years ago called "Pay it Forward". The theme of that movie, when someone does something for you, don't pay it back; pay it forward, by helping someone else. <br/><br/>News

Thursday, August 18th 2005, 10:27 am

By: News On 6

There was a movie about 5 years ago called "Pay it Forward". The theme of that movie, when someone does something for you, don't pay it back; pay it forward, by helping someone else.

News on 6 reporter Rick Wells has found a real life example.

Margie Hudson works as hard with her heart as she does with her hands. She's a graphic artist and she creates designs on a computer. Her hobby is an outgrowth of that, she takes photographs, re-works them, and creates a piece of digital art from that picture. But it's not her art work but her heart work we are talking about in this story. "That's Charles' first grade picture, I think." Charles McElhannon, a seven year old with a brain stem tumor.

She met him and his family about a year ago. Charles died earlier this month, but her desire to help the family lives on. "These people are working people, but they don't make enough to take care of these extra expenses."

She wanted to help, but couldn't think how. â€œAbout a month ago I was driving to work and said well do something don't keep saying I wish I could do something." So she decided to use her web site, donate the proceeds of all her artwork she sells and give folks an opportunity to donate.

She's no stranger to life's ups and downs. "I had been quite a mess for 50 years." But she got helped about 10 years ago and ever since she's looked for opportunities to help others. She says right now, her cup is full. "What I'm doing now is pouring it into someone else's cup." It's like the movie from five years ago, she's not paying back she's paying forward.

Margie Hudson's web site has much more information on her project, and how you might help.