Sent every Tuesday

Hey y’all. Welp, these are some uncertain and surreal times. If you’re like me, maybe you’ve been feeling scared or anxious or confused. (I’ve also been feeling embarrassed because I’ve been getting owned by my little sister in Scattergories.) That all makes perfect sense.

But the good news is, you don’t have to feel hopeless. Because there are people and communities who are there for you, and that includes the DoSomething staff and our millions of members around the world.

Right now we’re updating our COVID-19 response, revamping our existing campaigns, and creating brand new ones to help you make an impact, even while quarantined. We’re dialing up new ways to help you stay safe, fight isolation and anxiety, and continue making a difference on the causes you are about, from climate change to mental health to affordable education and beyond.

Be there for yourself and the ones you love. We’ll be there for you. And I promise we’ll all get through this together.

Let’s Do This,
Ben, Editor-in-chief and Scattergories Amateur

Coronavirus: What’s Happening and What You Can Do

How to stay safe, stay calm, and help others do the same.

After being diagnosed with visual impairment as a kid, Don (center, holding cane) suffered from depression “because no one ever talked to me about mental health.” So the DoSomething member shared our mental (health) notes with the guys in his Bible study class to start the conversation and connect them to crucial resources.

Join Don and the members who have helped 19,376 guys put the “men” in “mental health.” (We’ve made it easy to share cards digitally, while you’re practicing social distancing.)

• All I can say is WOW… to Eddy Middle School, which collected 10,055 pairs of jeans, and DoSomething member Santiago, who collected 2,832 by *himself*, powering the DoSomething community’s total of 132,295 pairs of denim for homeless shelters across the country.

• Nominate and Vote for G.O.A.T… a new initiative to honor young women’s activism and make an impact for girls and women around the world.

• This week of Dogs of DoSomething… Param’s floppy-eared pup, Simmy, and Diego lil’ nugget, Daisy, who has truly mastered chilling while quarantined.

• Shoutout for the shoutout… U-Haul, which is offering college students 30 days of self-storage amid COVID-19.

We asked you to brag about the amazing stuff you’re doing, and you did not disappoint. Here are some of our favorite answers from the DoSomething community. (Psst...submit yours here!)

“Over the summer, I created a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, called Rays4Hope, that installs PV solar panels into rural villages in Africa and South Asia. We currently have 26 panels in Bangladesh, 6 in Ghana, and planning for 4 in Madagascar by April. Our main goal is to fight energy poverty and level the playing field in these villages through electricity.”

- DoSomething member Saif, Washington D.C.

“My GSA [Gay Straight Alliance] is having an open forum for all the students in my school.”

- DoSomething member Jason, 16, New Jersey

“Last month my Make A Difference Pantry distributed over 31,000 pounds of food, provided 719 hot meals; 200 sandwich bags and served 4122 people.”

- DoSomething member Brooke, 15, North Carolina