A San Diego woman is behind a new movement that is rapidly gaining steam and inspiring thousands to actively do compassionate acts in their daily lives thanks to social networking, a lot of heart and passion.
(Stephanie D. Schulte/SWRNN)
It all started in 2008 when single mom Sara Schairer happened to catch an interview on the “Ellen” show. The author being interviewed explained the importance of compassion in the world and among people.
“I couldn’t stop thinking about compassion and what the author said,” Schairer said.
Later that night she had a vision of the word compassionate being broken up into two words: Compassion it.
Soon after, she trademarked the phrase and put it on the back burner for a few years.
Fast forward to 2011. While attending a party, she ran her story and idea by a friend who is a marketing and advertising powerhouse. The friend thought the idea was a winner and gave Schairer encouragement and business pointers.
Soon after the party, a different friend put Schairer in touch with one of the first employees of Facebook who was launching a pilot program.
“I participated in a program that Mark Chassman founded,” she said. “Our assignment and mission was to create a positive solution to a world problem.”
The group got busy and came up with a business plan and merchandise that included reversible bracelets, T-shirts, bumper stickers and magnets with the words ‘Compassion it’ on them.
A Facebook page was created and the company started spreading the word.
A few months later a girl from Schairer’s Social Innovation Leadership Academy group contacted Schairer requesting bracelets to be sold at a fundraiser.
“Three boys who were home for the summer died and the town of Northbrook was suffering,” Schairer said.
She boxed up and shipped out all 200 pairs of bracelets she had in her inventory to the grieving town. The bracelets were sold out in less than an hour.
As the story continues, it seems as though invisible forces whipped up supportive winds to push the Compassion it vessel along.
One of the girls that purchased a pair of bracelets — they come in pairs “keep one, share one”– sent one to a friend in England. That girl, Carrie Hope Fletcher, made a You Tube video about her bracelet and over 100,000 views later, ‘Compassion it’ had gone worldwide.
“The amazing thing about the spread of the Compassion it movement is how organic it’s been,” Schairer chirped. “It’s not about a T-shirt, bracelet or bumper sticker, it’s about a movement — a way of life.”
Schairer went on to say that “compassion is one of the most important things to teach our children which in turn will change the world.”
Her vision includes getting world leaders involved and to truly make a positive change on the planet.
“I want to inspire the current generation and generations to come,” she said.
Currently, companies and individuals are clamoring for merchandise to sell as a fundraising tool for various causes all the while spreading the message of compassion.
For more information, visit the company’s website: Compassion it.
Stephanie D. Schulte is a writer/photographer with SWRNN. She can be reached at stephanie.schulte@swrnn.com.
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