In a heartwarming initiative, Bill Small, an 82-year-old artist based in San Francisco, volunteers his time to draw portraits of victims and survivors of drunk driving crashes. Since 2015, his Portraits for Healing program through Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) has provided solace to more than 275 families grieving the loss of loved ones due to drunk driving crashes.
Bill’s journey with MADD began after he took up portrait drawing as a hobby. He sought a meaningful outlet for his skills. “I didn’t want to do anything commercial such as selling or public exhibits. I have never accepted money for a portrait,” Small explained. A friend’s suggestion led him to contact various non-profits, and MADD was one of the organizations that responded quickly and positively to the idea.
His initial work with the San Francisco Bay Area chapter was so successful that the portrait program was soon expanded to include victims and survivors across the country.
The Portraits for Healing program allows families to request a sketched portrait at no cost through the MADD website starting with simply providing digital pictures of their loved ones.
Victim Services and Volunteer staff know how valuable Bill’s work is to MADD clients and that it is an important way to honor the memory of loved ones and share their loss with others who care.
“Victims and Survivors often express their gratefulness to have a beautiful new keepsake and even recreate it to share with their other family members,” said Heather Ayala, National Director of Victim Services and Volunteers. “MADD is incredibly grateful for volunteers like Bill, whose kindness and creativity shows people they are cared for and truly matter to so many.”
“I find drawing very therapeutic – much like meditation. It also gives me a sense of purpose,” Bill said. He also shared that despite his age, he remains energetic and dedicated to his craft, working on portraits almost every day for various community service organizations locally, nationally, and even internationally.
Bill’s dedication and compassion have made a significant impact on the MADD community of victims and survivors.
A profound example of his work on full display was at a San Francisco Walk Like MADD Event where recipients of his kindness came together to remember their loved ones through his portraits.
“Volunteering comes in many forms, and Bill’s dedication over the past decade is a perfect example of how personal passions can become powerful acts of service,” Ayala said. “His work reminds us that volunteering isn’t just about traditional roles; it’s about finding ways to give back that are meaningful and impactful. His commitment proves that if you have a skill, an idea, or simply a desire to help, there is always a way to make a difference.”
Small’s unwavering commitment is a testament to the power of art in the healing process and the importance of volunteerism in making a difference.
For more information on the Portraits for Healing program or to request a portrait, visit the https://madd.org/portraits-of-healing/.
For more information on how to become a volunteer, visit https://madd.org/volunteer/.
About MADD
Mothers Against Drunk Driving® (MADD) is a national nonprofit leading the movement to end impaired driving for good. Since 1980, MADD has helped reduce drunk driving deaths in America by nearly 40%, saved more than 475,000 lives, and served more than one million victims and survivors. The organization is committed to leading prevention efforts with young adults, collaborating with law enforcement to keep our roads safe from impaired drivers, as well as advocating for stricter sentencing and stronger laws, including the HALT Drunk Driving Law that mandates anti-drunk driving technology in every new car. MADD continues to provide support services to victims and survivors of impaired driving at no charge through victim advocates and the 24-Hour Victim Help Line 1-877-MADD-HELP. For more information or to donate, visit https://madd.org/ and follow MADD on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
