School and Community Grants

Let me introduce myself. I am Carolyn J. Fosdick, Carol, born 1939 in Pueblo, Colorado. Love of the West and of western tradition is buried deep in my soul. My first passion was horses and I whinnied and galloped my way through childhood. I did my first oil painting (my mother was a brave woman to let me use such messy paints) when I was in the third grade of a horse, of course, and have painted ever since, still doing horses set in the grandeur of the western landscape. Money was very tight, but ours was a happy and loving family. Religion was important and we used to walk to church a mile away, memorizing Bible verses, and I developed a strong sense of religious and moral values. We all read incessantly, my favorites being horse stories and historical novels. I also have a deep sense of patriotism, with my earliest memories being of World War II. I vividly remember the blackouts, the victory gardens, rationing things like sugar and tires, and saving everything, even bacon grease, for the war effort. I can even picture my mother, who valued life more than anything, stating grimly that if the Germans ever came to America, she was going to take out a few before they killed her. This had to have been in the dark days of the war and I could not have been older than three.

When I was young, soda pop was a nickel, and I actually remember my first piece of gum. My grandfather gave it to me and told me to make it last because it was hard to get. I proudly wore my brother’s out-grown Mackinaw coat, and most of my clothes were hand-me-downs from relatives in New York. My mother told me I was lucky to have clothes from Fifth Avenue, as my friends just got clothes from Pueblo. I didn’t see a TV until about 1953 at a neighbors and it was several years before we got one of our own.

I still put my hand over my heart when the flag passes or the national anthem is played. I still love the historical songs of America’s past — folk songs, war songs, and patriotic songs. I might be a goop* in some peoples eyes, but I even cry on occasion when deeply moved with love for my country. I did when I was all by myself at home watching the horrific events of 9/11.  I also prayed aloud to God to save our White House, the Statue of Liberty, and other important monuments Americans treasure.

As my first book, The Other Son, was being published right after 9/11, my husband and I discussed the idea of giving the money I earned from this book back to the country I love so much. It was then that SOARR was born. Since then, I have published two more books, Ripples in the Water, and I ride a Wild Horse” and have added my profits to SOARR. In addition, I am a Western Artist and have combined the profits from the sale of my artwork to SOARR Grants. It has been my pleasure to give these grants.

Carolyn J. Fosdick