DORSEY NICHOLSON Earnhardt portrait to assist needy

The artist donated the painting to New Covenant Worship Center Ladies Ministry.
By VERONICA GORLEY
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
AUSTINTOWN -- A local portrait of NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt will be auctioned to help the area's shut-ins and needy.
Township artist Dorsey Nicholson donated the portrait to Youngstown's New Covenant Worship Center Ladies Ministry last Sunday. The group will start accepting bids Saturday.
Dorsey completed the 18-by-22-inch acrylic on illustration board portrait three weeks ago.
"It's kind of a memorial for [Earnhardt]," Dorsey said.
"He had a lot of fans, and I thought it would be a good reason to do this painting."
On display: Dorsey is the NASCAR driver-of-the-year portrait artist for the International Motorsports Hall of Fame.
"It's very rewarding for me. I like the sport and the drivers, and I enjoy painting their portraits."
Art Effects in Newton Falls donated its services for the framing and matting of the painting, which will be on display at the ministry's two annual fund raisers -- at Sam's Club in Boardman Saturday and at Wal-Mart in Austintown, Aug. 4. Both events will run from about 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and offer baked goods, crafts, chili dogs and other refreshments, as well as plaques and T-shirts of Dorsey's artwork that he has donated to the ministry.
The Earnhardt painting will also be displayed at Sports Zone in the Southern Park Mall July 23-28.
Bidders may place silent bids at the locations where the painting is on display, or by calling the New Covenant Worship Center church office at (330) 783-1977.
Details: The ministry will keep a running tally of the highest bid so bidders can stay informed of the highest offer and place a higher offer. Bids will be accepted until 4 p.m. on Aug. 4. The highest bidder will be notified later that day.
Nicholson's wife, Sherry, a member of the ministry, said the non-profit organization began four years ago. Its motto is "Help us help others."
"We're a small group trying to help the needs of our community," she said.
"If there's a need to be met -- big or small -- we have a desire to meet that need."
The group takes Thanksgiving baskets to shut-ins and donates household amenities to needy families throughout the year. It also supplies food and gifts to needy families at Christmastime.
"If you want to experience the best Christmas of your life, help us help others," she said.