Much like the many vibrant colors of the rainbow, there are numerous forms of supporting the LGTBQIA+ community. This time, we will focus not on one, but three volunteers: Catherine, Carrie, and Linnea. In three unique ways, they supported the LGBTQIA+ community by creating care packages, donating school supplies, and highlighting the importance of a box of crayons.
The Love of Mama Bears
Our first story is about Catherine Wade, who completed two Little Boxes of Rainbows – care packages sent to members of the LGBTQIA+ community.
Catherine is a member of a Facebook group called Serendipity Doo Dah – Home of the Mama Bears. All members have one thing in common: they are parents of persons identifying as LGBTQIA+. Naturally, the cause is especially close to Catherine’s heart.
Home of the Mama Bears started Little Boxes of Rainbows. The project is a beautiful way to spread love and acceptance while supporting struggling members of the LGBTQIA+ community. Sadly, the Little Boxes of Rainbows are needed almost always because the recipient’s parents are not accepting them. As a parent, Catherine wished to do something to make people in these circumstances feel better. When Catherine learned of the opportunity to support two brothers, she asked Random Acts if they would help with her endeavor.
When Catherine received the funding from Random Acts, she immediately went to work and picked many items for the boxes she hoped the two would like. She also wrote thoughtful cards to the two men to let them know that there are tens of thousands of Mama Bears out there who appreciate and love them.
“By being yourself, you put something wonderful into this world that was not there before,” was the quote on a mug Catherine chose.
Kindness for Teachers
Inspiration for an Act of Kindness comes from many places. Our next volunteer, Carrie Condon, was inspired by GISH, an international scavenger hunt promoting kindness and creativity. One particular task asked participants to provide teachers with school supplies. Did you know that teachers regularly spend money out of pocket when purchasing needed supplies? After Carrie learned this fact, she wished to help.
Carrie planned to support both teachers and the LGBTQIA+ community with her Act of Kindness. First, she reached out to a middle school teacher who plays a large part in the school’s Gay Straight Alliance (GSA). Carrie told the teacher she wanted to help her with supplies and asked for her wishlist. The items on the list aimed at supporting the GSA to allowall students to feel welcome and validated in their self-identity. With the funding provided by Random Acts, Carrie was able to order many items from the teacher’s wishlist. Among the items were pronoun buttons and Crayola skin markers for students to outwardly reflect who they are.
“It made me feel good to not only help a teacher but to supply students with materials that allow them to express themselves,” says a happy Carrie.
24 Colors Make a Difference
Meet the third volunteer of this story: Linnea Pugmire. Like Carrie, Linnea was also inspired by the Gish scavenger hunt. In the spring of 2022, a task asked the participants to create an LGBTQIA+ and gender-inclusive coloring book for students in Florida. Inspired by this project, Linnea has wanted to do something to give back to their own community. They fondly remember their favorite part of school: the box of crayons, markers, pencils, and art supplies.
“To this day the smell of waxy crayons brings on good and happy memories. Why shouldn’t I give this experience and gift to others?” reminisces Linnea.
To follow their plan, Linnea contacted a local school to inform them of their wish to donate crayon boxes. The school’s vice principal told Linnea that their donation would have a big impact as one younger education student typically goes through 2 to 5 boxes of crayons a year. The crayon boxes are mostly provided either by the school or the teacher. Often, the cost is covered by the teachers or funding that could be used to help in larger areas.
Linnea then went to their local shops to purchase the crayon boxes. In the end, they donated a total of 240 crayon boxes!
“How important is one box of 24 different colors? 24 colors mean the world isn’t just black and white,” states Linnea wisely.
