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Apex twin brothers, 8, have eye for art and heart for helping

Evan and Gavin Shrader are only 8 years old and they spend much of their time creating colorful tiles and selling them, with part of the proceeds being donated to a charitable non-profit known as Never Forget 911 Foundation.

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By
Bryan Mims
, WRAL reporter
APEX, N.C. — Evan and Gavin Shrader clearly have a talent for art -- and a heart for keeping police dogs safe.

The twin brothers are only 8 years old and they spend much of their time creating colorful tiles and selling them, with part of the proceeds being donated to a charitable non-profit known as Never Forget 911 Foundation.

The North Carolina charity was created to honor and support first responders, active and inactive military members.

Through dripping and dabbing of paint, the young twins style themselves as the Creative Shraders.

"My business is putting alcohol (and) ink on different tiles and making them look prettier and selling them," said Evan Shrader.

The boys splash pretty colors on tiles and sell them as coaster sets and plates.

Their artistic streak started when they were 6 years old, the same time their mother, Sharon Shrader, was creating similar designs for a local art project.

"They loved it," she said. "They wanted to have their own business. They were busting up a rock and selling it to the neighbors."

Instead of rocks, the boys started rolling with tile.

Their mother posted their pieces on Facebook, and every one of them sold before the day was done.

"They opened their own bank account and started saving and growing and growing and growing," Sharon Shrader said.

Each boy gets a 25 percent cut of the proceeds, with a chunk of their earnings donated to charity.

Police dogs became the youngsters' pet project.

Working through the Never Forget 911 Foundation, Evan and Gavin are providing protective equipment for the new dog joining the Apex Police Department.

"So, we have to raise $3,000 for the ballistics vest and Narcan kit and trauma kit," said

"Your police officers are wearing a vest, so should your K9 officers," said

"It makes me really proud that I'm not the only one responsible for bringing these children up," their mother said.

Neighbors of the family are enamored by the boys' ingenuity, their first-rate product and their mission statement.

"They're very special," Sharon Shrader said. "We're very proud of them."

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