Most of you readers are aware I was born and raised in Ohio. Having only been in Texas for 5 years and with all of our family there, it is safe to say my heart resides in Ohio. One day while cleaning, I briefly heard a new anchor mention Bay Village, Ohio. I stopped to listen because Bay Village borders Westlake. Westlake is the community I worked in for over 5 years until our first daughter was born. It is an affluent area on the outskirts of Cleveland. Most families in both communities are wealthy. The schools are filled with children with a better than average upbringing. What I heard next was beyond disturbing.
The ALS Ice bucket challenge that raised so much awareness and donations had went very wrong. I refuse to post the video I seen on the news. Basically three boys pulled a prank on a boy and instead of dumping ice on the boy the used human bodily fluids.
When GiveForward came across this article about an ALS Ice Bucket Challenge prank being played on a 14 year old autistic boy in Bay Village, they were also outraged and knew they had to do something.
So GiveForward did what they do best, and started a fundraiser. The gist of the fundraiser is to show this boy love, rather than hate, and to teach him that he is a hero for knowing that was wrong and being able to come out and talk about what happened. My heart breaks thinking how he felt in the moment. Surrounded by boys he thought were friends, and filming a video to support people fighting ALS.
GiveForward is the world’s #1 fundraising site for helping people in need. They help people come together and give support when it’s need most. Since 2008, they have helped families raise over 120 million to help cover their expenses during hard times or honor their loved ones.
GiveForward makes magic happen. When the horrific event happened at the finish line of the Boston Marathon happened, they jumped into action with a fundraiser for a newlywed couple, Pat and Jess, who lost their legs in the bombing. Friends, family, and so many that were outraged by what happened that day were able to raise almost $900K for them, making sure that they would never have to worry about any of their medical expenses as they deal with their new life with prosthetic legs.
We saw it again when Jeff Martin, a Michigan State fan, read a story about the friendship between Michigan State star basketball player, Adreian Payne and 8-year-old Lacey Holsworth who was fighting cancer. He didn’t know either of them personally, but he decided he wasn’t going to be a bystander and instead started a GiveForward page for Lacey. The fundraiser raised over $100K to help with Lacey’s medical bills and was again, able to prove that magic can happen when we chose to act.
GiveForward wants this magic to happen for the 14 year old boy that was subject to terrible bullying and this disgusting prank. GiveForward wants to prove to the 14 year old victim that there is more love in this world than hate. He is important, valued, and loved by many despite how those three boys tried to humiliate him that day.
GiveForward wants to teach people that there is a place to go when faced with a tragedy or injustice in the world. Refuse to be a bystander. Each one of us can can truly change the world if we can change how people act when they see these things in the news.
I encourage you to visit the GiveForward page in support of the 14 year old ALS prank victim. Leave him words of encouragement and if you feel lead to, make a contribution. All funds will go directly to the family.
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