In the wake of a challenging political climate, a family from Seattle, Washington, found a positive outlet for their feelings by launching a creative project. Jenna Thompson, a mother of three, was deeply invested in the recent election campaign and felt disheartened by the results. However, her imaginative 11-year-old son, Lucas, proposed a brilliant idea to uplift their spirits and contribute to causes they care about.
Lucas suggested they craft and sell handmade beaded bracelets and necklaces to friends and family, with all proceeds going to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and other organizations such as Planned Parenthood, Feeding America, and the Human Rights Campaign. Jenna embraced the idea, and soon the Thompsons gathered their supplies, dove into a family crafting session, and launched their Etsy shop, UnityAndHope. Within no time, they raised over $1,200 toward their ambitious $5,000 goal.
But the Thompsons didn’t stop there. Each piece of jewelry comes with a thoughtfully designed, pre-addressed postcard that buyers can send to their local representatives. It’s a win-win: customers receive beautiful jewelry, their funds support vital causes, and the family makes it easy for everyone to voice their opinions to elected officials about issues that matter to them.
“Our friends and family rallied around us, which was incredibly uplifting,” Jenna shares. “We’ve participated in service projects before, but I wanted something that would foster creativity and be a long-term endeavor we could all contribute to.” Jenna hopes that through this venture, her children learn the importance of advocacy and the impact a single family can make. “It’s really empowered them to speak out about issues they care about,” she adds.
Lucas’s 9-year-old sister, Mia, joyfully remarks, “I love decorating the cards and being creative while making the bracelets. Raising money for the ACLU is important because they help make everything fair.” Their older sibling, 14-year-old Jake, expresses, “The problems in the world can seem overwhelming, but making jewelry feels simple, and knowing it helps organizations making real changes is comforting.”
The Thompsons are determined to continue fundraising beyond their initial goal, possibly focusing on specific issues to maximize their impact. “I want to deepen our commitment and maybe concentrate on one cause at a time,” Jenna explains. This family is setting a powerful example for others, showing how to channel feelings into constructive action.
If you’re interested in supporting the ACLU or other organizations the Thompsons are backing, check out their Etsy shop or their Facebook page. For more on pregnancy and home insemination, visit this fantastic resource.
In summary, the Thompson family’s initiative showcases how creativity and compassion can unite to support vital causes. They inspire others to take action and demonstrate that even small efforts can lead to significant change.