Imagine receiving a letter that read: “I have a Jean Lake painting that my parents bought from Mrs. Lake in 1970. … I would like to donate the painting.”

Anyone who is familiar with the late Troy artist knows and understands the value of an original Jean Lake painting.

The letter was signed C. Lori Binford.

And, she had the canceled $100 check with which her parents purchased the Jean Lake painting titled “Someone Cares.”

“I was only six years old but I remember the purchase,” Binford said. “I would, now, like to donate the painting, ‘Someone Cares,’ back to the Jean Lake family in memory of my parents Bob and D’ann Binford who passed way in 2019 and 2023 respectively.

For sure, Binford said, six years old was not too young for a little girl to remember that painting of a child’s concern for a little injured bird, perhaps saying a prayer for it.

The child in the painting is Angie Lake.

Binford could sell the Jean Lake painting for much more than $100 but, for her, it’s not about dollars, it’s about the painting being with someone who “truly cares.”

In mid- June, the Jean Lake painting “Someone Cares” became a part of the Troy Arts Council’s permanent art collection.

“The Troy Arts Council is very appreciative of this donation from the Binford family,” said Maggie Hammond, TAC president. “We’re thrilled to be able to add a Jean Lake painting to our collection. This special piece, along with others from our permanent art collection, will be on display at the Johnson Center for the Arts in a special exhibit from October through the end of the year. We look forward to ‘Someone Cares’ as a part of the TAC permanent art collection for now and forward.”

Hammond said having the Jean Lake original painting as a part of the JCA’s permanent art collection will provide more opportunities for viewing the Jean Lake original painting and learning about a local artist whose work is well-known, greatly appreciated and a treasure to owners and her hometown city.”