Cavanaugh Bell is just 7 years old, but already he’s done more than most of us to help people in need.
After being bullied, Bell wanted to find a way to spread positivity. So he approached his mom with an idea about giving back to the community.
“After I was bullied and I felt a darkness inside of me, I knew I didn’t want other kids to feel the same way I felt,” he explained on his GoFundMe page. “So, I asked my mom if she could help me spread love and positivity. And, the more I gave back to my community, the more I wanted to keep doing it.”
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Pandemic pantry
Since the COVID-19 pandemic paralyzed the country, Bell has devoted a lot of time to creating care packages for the elderly.
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The Gaithersburg, Maryland boy and his mother, aunt, and cousins focused on one particular suburb. And the second-grader used the $600 from birthday and Christmas savings to help purchase supplies such as toiletries and groceries.
I had amazing help this weekend packing over 200 bags to take to several senior living facilities. I even got to meet @Rockville411 mayor Bridget Newton! Plus, I gave a care pack and a bunch of items to a homeless man I saw. Please make sure you help each other during this time. pic.twitter.com/gc3qKcbiDZ
— Cool & Dope (@cooldopeliving) May 31, 2020
As the project grew, he began a GoFundMe page, which took donations to do even more good. And now that he’s raised over $27,000, Bell and his mother have opened a food pantry at a nearby warehouse offered up by a local logistics company.
At the pantry today and guess what we have hot meals today!! Thank you @STMdotorg for helping us out BIG!!
And guess what?! We hit 2,000 people helped today ❤️❤️❤️ #MoCoStrong
Help us restock for Mother’s Day Weekend at https://t.co/19yvFbCayQ pic.twitter.com/Fr21FTm8yp
— Cool & Dope (@cooldopeliving) May 3, 2020
Extending his reach
After working with his local community, Cavanaugh Bell did some research over the summer about other people in need.
He decided to reach out to the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota to offer assistance. He keenly remembered his trip to Mount Rushmore 2 years earlier and the mesmerizing landscape around him.
Pine Ridge is home to some of the poorest communities in the country, according to The Washington Post.
Bell’s mom Llacey Simmons helped him set up the GoFundMe and Amazon Wish List that would allow him to extend his reach.
“My mom explained to me that people live on the reservation, and some didn’t have what they needed to survive,” said Cavanaugh. “Some of the houses didn’t have electricity or running water.”
And his efforts were a success. He received enough donations to fill a semi-truck full of canned and non-perishable foods as well as hygiene products, and cleaning supplies.
GUYS WE FILLED THE TRAILER!!!
I was so nervous that we only had 10 days to get it done BUT you guys came through and donated all types of things for the Pine Ridge Reservation. We are going to help SO many people!!! pic.twitter.com/R0oaoSMXMr
— Cool & Dope (@cooldopeliving) July 8, 2020
The shipment was delivered on July 10, and the residents of the reservation responded with such gratitude that Bell decided to do it again, this time with winter supplies.
“I wanted to do more stuff for them to make them happy,” he told The Washington Post. “Since winter is coming, I knew they didn’t have what they needed to stay warm, so I asked people to donate blankets, jackets and winter supplies.”
🙌🏾 WE DID IT AGAIN 🙌🏾
You guys are SO amazing!!!!! Last Tuesday we filled ANOTHER 53 FOOT TRAILER to take to the Pine Ridge Reservation and it was FULL of essential winter supplies, food, and cleaning supplies for them.
A BIG thank you to each and every one of you who donated! pic.twitter.com/xsBhaZ5tMp
— Cool & Dope (@cooldopeliving) September 26, 2020
Turning pain into action
Because he was bullied, Bell understands one other major problem on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation – the number of youth suicides.
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Between January and August, there were at least 168 suicide attempts among a population of 20,000.
And despite his young age, Cavanaugh Bell knows what it’s like to feel hopeless.
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That’s also what led him to start his own non-profit, Cool & Dope. Its mission is to combat bullying and spread positivity – and Bell is the “Chief Positivity Creator.”
Having helped thousands, there’s no sign of him slowing down any time soon. Someday, he’d like to join the Supreme Court.
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Be sure to scroll down below to hear from Cavanaugh Bell.
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Source: GoFundMe, Washington Post, YouTube – Cool & Dope, Twitter – @cooldopeliving
H/t: Good News Network
