Articles by Sacha

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Pink socks.

December 14, 2012 in Uncategorized by Sacha | No comments

Recently Jessica Bell wrote to The Sussy Project to nominate Katie Cramsie.
Hello!

I’d like to nominate Katie Cramsie. She is a beautiful, wonderful person who has recently found out she has breast cancer. Katie has a big heart and has always cared for others, which is also reflected in her career as an RN. Currently Katie is half way through her chemotherapy treatments. She has a strong support system (everyone wears pink socks on her treatment days). 
 
I think that Katie is more than deserving of a Sussy!
I can’t really imagine what it’s like to get news like that but I do know what it’s like to support someone with breast cancer—my sister-in-law was diagnosed in 2008 at 31 years old. Chemotherapy is a drag so Katie is fortunate to have a supportive circle of friends/family to give her strength on the particularly hard days. It sounded like the first half of the super tired days were behind her, which is good. I hoped that alleviating the responsibility of preparing dinner for a night would be helpful, and set about making that happen.
As the Sussy Squad member in charge of making Katie smile, I contacted her to let her know a surprise was headed her way, something that fit in an envelope but would fill her belly. Then I dropped a $25 gift card in the mail for Olive Garden (or Red Lobster, LongHorn Steakhouse, Bahama Breeze, Seasons 52).
We hope that Katie gets well soon and that each day is easier than the day before. And though we know pasta and breadsticks won’t take away cancer, we do hope they can make her smile.
If you know someone you’d like to nominate, email us: nominate@thesussyproject.com.
If you would like to fund the next sussy, email us: sponsor@thesussyproject.com

A story of kindness….

November 9, 2012 in Uncategorized by Sacha | No comments

This is not a story about someone nominated for a sussy. This is not a story about a random act of kindness. This is a story about friends and acquaintances being proactively nice for its own reward.

Amy Sedaris came to town for a Q&A session as part of the annual Spirit and Place festival. Tickets were offered on Twitter as the prize in a drawing, and I noticed that Melissa Heeke answered the question posed for a chance to win them. (I did too, mostly hoping that Melissa and I would go together if either of us won, but I didn’t share that.) I met Melissa only in passing in real life—Indy Food Swap, Indianapolis International Film Festival—but we have been tweeps for about a year. That same day a friend, Suzanne Krowiak, called to ask me if I wanted two tickets to see Amy Sedaris. Her week had become a whirlwind of activity and she offered them to me as a gift. How about that for thoughtfulness and coincidence?! I asked Melissa to go with me and she immediately accepted.
 
Melissa and I had a great time seeing Amy Sedaris. We sat behind some friends of hers, Jeff and DJ, which was fun. When we explained how we ended up at the show together, Jeff said it was our “first public display of friendship,” which I thought was hilarious. Isn’t that a great way to think about it? I am so grateful to Suzanne for giving me the tickets and to Melissa for going with me. A double sussy, as far as I’m concerned!
 
Incidentally, Melissa and I became Twitter friends when she reached out to Suzanne for my information after a swap last year; she thought we might have some things in common. We have been getting along online ever since and this experience will surely lead to more in-person activities.
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The Sussy Project was started as a way to inspire others to Sussy – give gifts for no reason. We love stories that involve random acts of kindness and ways where people are being thoughtful! Next time you sussy someone, send us an email and tell us all about it! We are still doing The Sussy Challenge so you can still get a Sussy tee! And as always, please nominate someone you want us to surprise with kindness!

Trees for Leah

September 14, 2012 in Uncategorized by Sacha | 1 comment

The same adage about a smile begetting a smile must apply to sussies too! Ashley Griffith recently received a sussy from Bri Cook after being nominated by Ashley Sieb. Immediately Ashley G. turned around and nominated friends Josh and Jessica Vance. She forwarded Ashley S. this very sad Facebook status from Josh:

For all of you who do not know yet, Jessica and I have suffered a great loss. We lost our little girl, Leah Kathryn, yesterday. She was 6 pounds 4 oz and at 38 weeks. She has beautiful black hair just like her mother, and unfortunately, my ears. We would have liked to call each and every person we know, but this has been extremely difficult. We just want some time and space to make sense of this and heal. We will let everybody know when arrangements are made with the funeral home.

Crushing, right? I couldn’t imagine what they were feeling. My first thought was to bring them a home-cooked meal—the stand-by for a grieving family—but I worried that would be weird since they don’t know me. I wanted to respect their request for space. I wanted them to know that there was a set of strangers who were moved by their story and wanted to honor the memory of their daughter without intruding on their family.

So a donation was made to the Arbor Day Foundation in memory of Leah Kathryn Vance. As a tribute, 20 trees were planted in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest. With thoughts of comfort, peace, and caring, these trees will be a living monument to Josh and Jessica’s little girl. Leah Kathryn’s legacy will live on in their hearts and also in California.
Upon receiving the notification, we heard from the Vances via Facebook.
And the thank yous from the family came soon after.
We are heartbroken for their loss but so happy they were touched by the trees planted in their honor. And we’ve already received a new nomination from someone who saw this all unfold. Please continue the pattern and after reading this story, nominate someone you think should be surprised by kindness. You can email us at info@thesussyproject.com