More To The Story with Staley: Kids Art Boxes

Dave finds out what's inside the art boxes given to elementary students at 4 schools

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – You see lots of boxes outside the doors of Rivermont Elementary. The kids inside, ages pre-K through fifth grade, are the ones on the receiving end.

The ones donating the boxes are Nick and Melanie Phillips. They founded and own a local company. “Kids Art Box.”

They donate because they care.

MELANIE PHILLIPS, KIDS ART BOX FOUNDER;
“We care about this community. We are not from Chattanooga. But we came here because we really like the town. We’re trying to help the community.”

Besides Rivermont, three other elementary schools received “Art Box” donations. Nolan, Thrasher and Clifton Hills. Each box containing a number of art supplies.

The Phillips say they do this to underscore the value of art in our schools. And for the schools, it’s a great way to bring schools and families closer together.

All told, Kids Art Box donated a grand total of over 13-hundred boxes, adding up to some 80-thousand dollars worth of art supplies.
A tremendously important gesture that’s highly appreciated by the schools administrators and teachers.

JILL EVANS, RIVERMONT ELEMENTARY PRINCIPAL;
“Thinking about the whole child. How they can learn through interesting things. Art is a great way to teach content. And to get kids excited to come to school every day.”

For the Phillips family, it’s their first such donation. They say it won’t be their last.

The Chattanooga company started in 2019. But it quickly became more than a hobby.

NICK PHILLIPS, KIDS ART BOX FOUNDER;
“We grew from our living room to an office. And then to a warehouse. We now have 12 employees. We ship to all 50 states. It’s been a wild ride for over two years now.”

There were enough boxes so that all of the students, at every school, had an art box.
Encouraging them to enjoy……the world of art.

Dave Staley, News 12 Now