John Mellinger loves to draw. So much so that he often volunteers his time to draw sketches for area organizations like Dollars for Scholars. Now, Mellinger is looking to help the Newton YMCA by offering to draw people’s homes for a donation to the Y. One-hundred percent of the donations will be given to support one of Jasper County’s largest non-profit organizations.

To support the YMCA and to receive a sketch, those wishing to participate need to take a "head on" photo of the house. Mellinger will use the photo to draw the home.

Once the sketch is complete the home owner will receive an 11" x 17" pen and ink sketch, a reduced sized copy at 8.5" x 11" and also a note card sized copy.

"Don’t worry if your trees don’t have leaves, I can manufacture them," Mellinger joked.

The Newton YMCA was the benefactor from Mellinger’s drawings once before.

"We had 200 takers," he said of the previous fund raiser "some years back."

Forms will be available at the YMCA for the fund raiser. To receive the sketch fill out the form, provide a photo and a minimum tax-deductible donation of $100 (checks payable to the Newton YMCA).

Mellinger said he will work as fast as he can but depending on how many requests some may take into spring 2012.

Click  mellinger%20form.pdf to order your sketch.