Trying to be a good person.......

It's been awhile, but I need to get this off my chest, and not really sure how or where to post, so I figured I would start here.

A little over a month ago I started an organization called Stop the Hate, Spread the Love in response to some attacks on my family due to racism. I have always been against bullying and hate towards others, I was bullied in school for my height, my brother was bullied in school to certain extremes, and as an adult I have endured much hate from others in regards to my marriage being interracial.

When I first started the group on Facebook, most everyone thought I was only supporting interracial couples, and therefore painted me as a "non-Christian" who was racist against people who choose to same within their race. <--- Farthest from the truth. I support all people, and I support stopping bullying regardless. I have my own personal beliefs about lots of things, however my main point has always been NO HATE.

After I created this group, I was asked by WBTV to do a t.v. interview, which I did and that helped raise a lot of awareness, the group went from about 200 members in 24 hours to 500 in 48 hours. Now a month and a half later we are almost at 2,000! Shortly after the interview with WBTV, I was asked to interview for CBS online, and that also helped in raising awareness. Currently however, I feel like I am at a stand still. I have tried asking my "friends" on Facebook to add friends to the group, to share the links and such and unfortunately only a handful of people have been supportive. This truly hurts, because bullying is something that effects everyone, not just me and my family. It is disheartening that my own friends and family that know me and the size of my heart, give me more grief than anything else.

I have tried not to "beg" for donations and help, but in a sense I need it. I have had several schools, and organizations reach out to me for presentations and educational material to help their classrooms, etc. And I have to say "I'm working on getting the materials together." I am making books to have printed to give to teachers and organizations that include resources, links, and information about what bullying is, how to prevent it, how to deal with it, and when to get help. Also, I have reached out to several teens, some have consulted with me about self-harming, potential suicide, and more and I feel obligated for them and others to fight even harder. But I can't fight for what I can't afford.

I am pushing hard to get this 5k going in October to raise money for families in my area who have been the victim of bullying, but I can not do it off of smiles and charm. Everything costs money, and unfortunately I have only received $30 in donations.

My main reason for writing this, I want people to understand where I am coming from, and I also needed to get the frustration from the lack of support off my chest. I have always thought I had a higher purpose in life, and having been in the face of suicide before, I understand how serious it can be. I understand how the words of others can be mean, hurtful, and deadly. I want to help people, teach people, and over-all be a good person.

It has come to my attention, that some had questioned my intentions, and motives, so I wanted it to be clear where my heart, mind, and soul are. I hope that you guys will continue to support me, this organization, and help me in spreading the word!

So, in the end, I am only one person, I have prayed and prayed and God keeps leading me down this path to fight for this organization and keep it going. I am not sure why, when I feel I am fighting a losing battle at times, but for whatever reason my heart and mind keep me on this path for myself, for my son, my husband, family, friends, community, strangers, and even our country. So please understand my efforts are genuine, my heart is good, and all I am asking for is help, as I can not do this alone.

-With love,
Heather

Links from this post:
Stop the Hate, Spread the Love - www.facebook.com/groups/stopthehatespreadthelove
Donation page - http://fnd.us/c/9TkGe

WBTV News Interview & Story

Story: http://www.wbtv.com/story/21578934/local-mom-starts-anti-hate-facebook-page-after-stranger-targets-her-family

Video: http://www.wbtv.com/category/240205/video-landing-page?autoStart=true&topVideoCatNo=default&clipId=8599629

CBS News Article & Interview

http://charlotte.cbslocal.com/2013/03/15/racism-in-america-one-local-moms-quest-to-stop-the-hate-spread-the-love/