Love Conquers Hate! Let’s Change the World with GiveForward

by Guest Posts

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Disclosure: This is a sponsored post written in partnership with GiveForward and a campaign for Sverve. Regardless, all opinions expressed are 100% my own.

Have you heard of the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge? I imagine that we would be hard pressed to find someone who has not heard of it; especially at a time when social media is so prevalent in our lives. That being said, since we strive to not assume anything, the long and short of the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge is that it was created in an effort to help raise money for ALS research. It is a fantastic cause for a condition with no known cure. I can say without hesitation that almost every single person I know participated in the Challenge and more importantly, they made a much needed donation.

Unfortunately, as it seems with every good, evil reared its ugly head and a few bad seeds took it upon themselves to take something beautiful and turned it into a nightmare for a 14 year old boy with autism from Bay Village, Ohio. What took place in Bay Village was not something that one can even refer to as a prank but a horrific act of bullying when five teenagers soaked him in a bucket full of urine, feces, and tobacco under the guise that he was participating in the Ice Bucket Challenge in an effort to help others. You are welcome to locate the full story online but we prefer not to draw attention to the act.

I was bullied growing up; however, never to this extent. I hit a growth spurt in grade school and instead of growing up I grew out and became the target of snide remarks and was even beat up on a number of occasions by both males and females. The best was when a “good friend” came up with a nickname for me; heifer. I was in fourth grade and had no idea what it meant; I just thought it was a cute way of saying my name, Heather. Needless to say, those events have stuck with me. As the parent of a school age 4 year old, unfortunately bullying is something that I fear will become a part of my daughter’s life sooner than later. I try to keep an eye on her social interaction with others as best as I can and we work hard to ensure that she respects not only others but herself. Bullying, on any level, is extremely painful and can have lasting effects on an individual’s life. I can’t even begin to imagine how difficult the events in Bay Village were for the young man and his family. The fact that he has autism makes it that much more heart wrenching as this young man needs to be surrounded by love, not hate.

It feels as though now, more than ever, we are inundated with stories about people harming or mistreating others on a daily basis. Turn on the television or radio and you will find story after story of such events. Even more difficult to grasp is the idea of how many standby and watch or in this case videotape cruel events, do nothing to stop them, and then post them on social media. In fact, 98% of the time we stand by idly and watch life go by. We make note of the indiscretions, confirm how horrible they are, and simply move on with our lives without do anything about it. We just expect someone else to stand up and help. This is so typical that there is an actual psychological term to describe it, bystander apathy. The truth is WE have to be the one to stand up and make a change.  

There is a way that we can help!

GiveForward is the world’s #1 fundraising site for helping people in need. They help people come together and give support when they need it most. They have raised over $120,000,000, since 2008, to help raise money to help honor and care for people, families and stories that they care about. Now, they would like to help the young man in Bay Village and have started a fundraiser to show him love, rather than hate, and to celebrate his heroism in being willing to come out and talk about what has happened to him.

We are very giving nation and it is well known that in the past, when tragedy hast struck, we have worked together collectively to do something about it. Think about the events of September 11, 2001, Hurricane Katrina, or more recently, the Boston Marathon bombing. One of the many fundraisers started after the events in Boston was for a newlywed couple, Pat and Jess, who lost their legs in the bombing. Friends, family, and many around the world were able to raise nearly $900,000 for them. This money ensured that they would never have to worry about any of their medical expenses as they learned to deal with their new lives with prosthetic legs.

Another beautiful story involves Michigan State star basketball player, Adreian Payne and 8 year old Lacey Holsworth who was fighting cancer. A Michigan State fan, Jeff Martin, read a story about their friendship, did not know either one of them personally, but decided to take a stand and start a GiveForward page for Lacey. The fundraiser has raised over $100,000 to help with Lacey’s medical bills and has shown; once again, that magic can happen when we choose to act.

GiveForward wants this magic for the 14 year old boy that was subject to terribly bullying and a disgusting prank. Let’s prove that there is more love in this world than hate! A fundraising page has been set up where you can donate to help him and his family. The goal is $5,000 and they have almost reached 60% of that goal. Every little bit helps and if we all ban together, a dollar here and a dollar there will add up to thousands in no time. If you are not able to help monetarily, please consider leaving a kind message and pass the cause along to your friends and family on social media. If you have ever been bullied or know someone who has, please take the time to share this story.

Love conquers hate and the change has to begin with us. Let’s stop being bystanders! It is time to stand together and change the world.

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post written in partnership with GiveForward and a campaign for Sverve. Regardless, all opinions expressed are 100% my own.

Love Conquers Hate! Let's Change the World with GiveForward

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