Jenny Polimeni with Jenny Roberts of Cootamundra.
Crying, gratitude and generosity is how Jenny Polimeni described her art exhibition fundraiser at Jugiong Hall, this past weekend.
“The money raised, will go a long way and benefit other families with sick children,” she said.
“It was in memory of Lui, to remember how amazing he was. It wasn’t just an art exhibition, but also for his 20th birthday.
“Even after all these years, we still feel the support.”
Mother Jenny initially set a goal of $20,000, but with the Gundagai Tigers Rugby League Football Club kickstarting the donations with half of that amount, the Polimenis were able to raise a total of $34,864 from the Friday night and the Saturday afternoon exhibition.
The money raised is donated to the Ronald McDonald House Charity in Canberra.
Gundagai Tigers Rugby League Committee Member Robyn Bawden, described Jenny’s effort as amazing and a reflection of her humbled personality.
“Jen doesn’t think so, but she is indeed very talented. What I love was the stories with each painting, about how it related to Lui,” Robyn said.
“Lui was an amazing kid, and on the night, the community just embraced him. Lui will forever be a Tiger and he will never be forgotten.
“Ronald McDonald House is a wonderful cause, it has helped many families in this area.”
A total of 170 people showed up on the first night, with many lining up and viewing from outside, well and truly before the event began.
“Little Bird, Little Angel”, “Hang In There”, and “City Breaks” were the three most popular paintings.
Out of the 20 paintings with a price tag on display, only one was left, for the Saturday afternoon viewing.
And that final piece was snapped up by a lady with her 2 sons, whom drove all the way from Albury to support the cause, the painting was titled “Mother’s Day”.
One of the three silent auction pieces “Colin the Cow”, was in such a high demand, that Jenny decided to sell framed prints as she wanted many to have this special piece.
A total of 21 prints were requested which Jenny will soon deliver out.
Cootamundra local Jenny Roberts was one of those supporters as well.
Just four years ago after Lui’s passing, his organs were able to save a total of six lives.
One of the donor recipient’s mothers heard about the exhibition and drove four hours from the South Coast, to view, donate and have a cuppa with Jenny.
Jenny described it to The Times as a lovely surprise, one with lots of tears.
A local policeman also walked in on the Saturday afternoon and donated $500, he said he wanted to support the cause.
Jenny said she was just blown away with the amount of generosity over this past weekend.
“I could have sold 50 paintings, it was a nice compliment to hear people wanting to buy more of the same paintings if I had more,” Jenny said.
“The community has been nothing but amazing. Even when the event finished, many have approached me on how they can donate.”
And for Lui’s big 21st birthday next year, Jenny said celebrations will be back to its traditional rituals at the Jugiong Motel.
Christopher Tan