AUSTINTOWN — After Addyson Price’s art table was taken, she was surprised with a new one and some new art supplies by township Trustee Jim Davis and the Austintown Police Department.

Addyson, 8, had been using a folding table to display her artwork for the past two summers, and when she was recently packing up for the day, she discovered that someone had taken her table when she was inside.

“Addyson has been selling her art for two years during summer break because she loves making people smile,” said her mother, Jessica Cressman-Price, who was devastated that someone who do this. Price took to Facebook to alert the community as to what had happened and to see if she could get the table back.

“I noticed it on Facebook, on the ‘Proud Natives of Austintown’ community page that someone had taken her table,” said Davis, who knew he had to do something to help her. Davis said he remembers when he was young and being inspired to help others and saw this as an opportunity to help Addyson and inspire her to continue making a difference in people’s lives.

“Our children are doing things that most adults don’t do. They’re making a difference. Addyson is drawing pictures and donating money to her teacher for books. I see this as an opportunity to do something for her, she’s a difference maker,” Davis added. “For her to have this vision and drive is outstanding.”

Davis and his daughter decided, with the help of the police department, to purchase a new table and art set for Addyson.

“I was so surprised to see … APD and Jim Davis bring her a new table and art set. We have had people drop off canvas to her, we had another gentleman bring a big table,” Price said. “At one point yesterday, she had a line of people to come see her art. She was so amazed.”

Addyson will continue to sell her artwork for $1 all summer and created a Facebook page, “Happy Accidents by Addy,” to showcase her work and give updates for where she will be donating the money.

“Last year, it went to the veterans sitting outside Walmart and sometimes she buys gifts for other kids as a surprise. This year, she is trying to raise funds to buy her second-grade teacher (Kristin Havaich) new books for her class that depict minorities as lead characters,” Price said.

So far Addyson has purchased 13 books and plans to buy more soon.

bshiller@tribtoday.com