Dear Humans, You Can Be So Awesome!
Actress and Comedian Kristina Wong created a volunteer “Sewing Squad” that is distributing masks and much more to communities in need and it’s amazing!
Hello friends, it’s me… your internet aunt here to kiss you loudly on the ear one too many times. It’s SacredToTheWood with some fine and divine news to lift your pandemic trodden spirits in series one of FOG (Focus On Good).
2020 was a year of mostly bad news. I decided it was time to spread the word about good news, positive news, news that makes your insides tickle with glee like the moment you see the waiter bringing a hot, steaming plate of yum in your direction.
Today we are talking about some “delicious people helping people just for the sake of helping” goodness. It all started when Kristina Wong, a bad ass woman warrior, decided to take action during the pandemic instead of just binge-watching Netflix. In my case, it’s relentlessly watching “Search Party” on HBO max to relieve myself of the idea that my stress is big at all. On a serious note, this show is truly amazeballs…watch it…somehow, someway! Alright, back to the point of my ramblings! Kristina is best known for her one woman shows focusing on race, sex, and privilege through the life experience of an Asian American. After getting hyped about taking her new show on tour, the pandemic hit. This news was a huge blow to performers of all kinds all over the world. Instead of sitting back and throwing up her hands in frustration, Kristina chose to put her time and energy into helping people saying “I’m going to do stuff. I’m going to stay busy. And I’m going to fix other people’s problems.” What a gem! Seriously… lady crush!
With this new found sense of purpose Kristina turned to a skill she developed making and sewing her own stage props and realized she could make masks for people who couldn’t easily get them. Not having easy access to protective gear during this super scary time became an issue for farmworkers, immigrants, and Black and Brown citizens. This is a cycle that has repeated itself and is something that should be recognized. Luckily there are lovely humans like Kristina who are aware of the disproportionate suffering that occurs during any time of crisis. Kristina posted on her facebook page ‘If you are immunocompromised or don’t have access to masks, I’ll make you a mask. Just reimburse me $5 for postage.’ Shocked by the response and requests, she turned to her socials to ask for help and boy did help come. As the volunteers poured in, Kristina created a facebook page and formally named the volunteer group “Auntie Sewing Squad”, which now has over 800 members sewing not just masks, but hats and other winter wear to help people stay warm during the winter and further protect them against COVID.
I mean…c’mon! If you are not already overflowing with hopeful admiration for human beings and shamelessly spilling everywhere, you just wait! Auntie Sewing Squad began sending protective gear and even sewing machines to the South Dakota’s Bear Soldier District. This allowed them to make their own masks and begin helping other Native American communities, which are all high risk populations. This is the epitome of what help truly is. Equipping others with not just the materials, but the resources and skills they need to thrive in their communities leads to long term healing and that is just simply me spittin’ the truth at yah.
While there is chaos around us, it is good to focus on the positive things that tend to come out of tragedy. I hope this inspires you to step out of your life and into the lives of others and “pull a Kristina Wong” of course meaning fixing other people’s problems. Most of the time helping others with their problems is much better than dwelling in your own. When help is given, help is returned.
Check out my video interview with Kristina here:
KEEP UP WITH THE AUNTIE SEWING SQUAD:
LEARN MORE ABOUT KRISTINA WONG:
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