SEYMOUR – Dustin Leo, a fourth grader at Bungay School, has turned his love of photography into an inspirational way to help children fighting cancer.
Dustin, 9, has launched an initiative called Photographs for Childhood Cancer, where he is taking and selling his photographs to raise money for kids battling cancer.
“I’m doing this because I want to help the kids that have been diagnosed with cancer,” Dustin said. “They didn’t deserve this, and I want them to be able to live long and healthy and happy lives.”
For the last few months, Dustin has been shooting photos around Seymour, ranging from the giant flag flying high atop French Memorial Park and close-up images of bright yellow daffodils at Chusetown Community Park to striking black and white images of the Seymour Congregational Church on Broad Street and the Citizens Engine Co. firehouse.
Dustin has also branched out to other towns, shooting images of the cherry blossoms in full bloom in Wooster Square in New Haven and the rolling waterfalls at Southford Falls in Southbury.
His photos for sale range in size from 5×7 prints for $20 to 8×10 prints for $40. Dustin’s mom, Kate Leo, said Dustin wants the proceeds from his sales to benefit local children’s cancer centers and hospitals, like Yale-New Haven’s Smilow Cancer Center. Leo said Dustin is still figuring out where the proceeds should go, because “he wants to help everyone he can.”
Dustin’s photos will be posted on Seymour’s website and Facebook pages and can be viewed by clicking here. Scroll to the end for information on how to purchase photos.
Dustin uses a digital camera donated by a friend to capture various images around him. He said taking photos is a fun way to channel his inner artist. He said he loves taking photos of nature.
Dustin said his artistic skills were probably passed down to him through his great-grandmother whom he never met – the late Evelyn Baisch, who worked as an art teacher for more than 20 years in the Seymour schools.
Dustin shared his initiative during the Oct. 8 meeting of the Seymour Board of Selectpersons. He said his goal is to just help kids live long and healthy lives.
“I want to sell a lot of pictures, so the money can go to kids with cancer,” Dustin said. “I just like taking pictures, it’s pretty cool.”
Dustin said he has a special box he painted to hold all the donations and money that rolls in.
“The best part is I already have about $400 in checks in the box,” Dustin said, noting that Alberto’s Restaurant in the Tri-Town Plaza donated $100 to his cause, along with family members.
Dustin’s mom, Kate Leo, said she has no idea how Dustin came up with the idea to help kids battling cancer, but said he’s the type of kid who always wants to lend a helping hand.
“He always has a bunch of ideas, and he came to me a few months ago with this one,” Leo said. “Dustin is the kid that whenever we’re driving around and see homeless people with the signs we have to stop. We’ve gotten McDonald’s for them, and we keep bottled water and granola bars in the car to give out.”
When Dustin is not out taking photos with his mom, he’s busy playing soccer and football, drawing, playing video games and riding his bike.
Bungay School Principal Lauren Reid, along with Superintendent of Schools Susan Compton said Dustin’s initiative warms their hearts.
“This project is truly remarkable, especially coming from a 4th grader,” Reid said. “It demonstrates compassion, leadership and an awareness well beyond his years.”
Compton echoed similar sentiments.
“I am truly impressed by Dustin’s initiative, and Seymour is truly fortunate to have such a caring and driven young person in our community,” Compton said. “His dedication, creativity and compassion at such a young age are inspiring. Using his talent to make a meaningful difference in the lives of children battling cancer demonstrates remarkable empathy and leadership.”