Base Exchange to host charity art sale

  • Published
  • By Lee Ross
  • Nucleus editor
KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  Lawrence Vargas and his family have turned a tragic loss into something positive.

Vargas' son, Lawrence Charles Vargas, was shot and killed in 2008 in a parking garage in Downtown Albuquerque. At the time, the 23-year-old professional artist and he already had a reputation for being a very charitable person.

As part of their effort to carry on that tradition, Vargas and his other son, David, will be signing and selling hand-painted ornaments and other artwork at the Base Exchange. The money they make goes to their nonprofit organization, Lawrence Charles Vargas Memorial Shoes-for-Kids and Acts of Compassion, which buys shoes for less fortunate children.

"Lawrence was such a good kid and a giving kid," Vargas said. "And we've touched so many lives in his name."

The nonprofit has given away more than 6,000 pairs of shoes, he said.

Lawrence and David Vargas will be at the Exchange from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Dec. 13. Starting at noon, he said, there will be live Spanish music to accompany the art sale.