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Retired Boilermaker creates art for charity

All donations for the calendar go to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tenn.

FREDRICK W. MCDONALD, Jr. is using his passion for art to raise money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. The Local 83 (Kansas City, Missouri) retiree created a 2017 calendar with his original art, including some drawings of children, in an effort to help St. Jude advance its mission to find cures and to prevent pediatric diseases.

In addition to producing the calendar on his own initiative, McDonald sketches pictorial biographies of famous people and crafts large and small stained glass creations. Some of McDonald’s glass is displayed in the lobby of Kansas City, Missouri, television station KSHB and also in the homes of friends.

McDonald graduated from college with an art degree in 1973 and worked odd jobs for several years following graduation. His father, a member of the United Auto Workers, encouraged him to apply for the Boilermakers National Apprenticeship Program, which he did in 1978. Since his retirement in 2010, McDonald has become active in the local arts community. He gives his work away at no cost, but if someone insists on paying him, he donates the money to charity.

To purchase a 2017 calendar to benefit St. Jude, call McDonald at 913-250-0755. The suggested donation is $10.