Two Girls Begin a Campaign4Kindness

Kelsie Alling, 12, and Miranda Ramirez-Vang, 11, are two girls from different neighborhoods, but their Campaign4Kindness teaches the importance of understanding common human struggle.

Kelsie lives in Fox Point and with her Bat Mitzvah in September, she decided to sell ‘Campaign4Kindness’ bracelets. When a bracelet owner witnesses an act of kindness, they pass it on to the good doer, creating a cycle of positive acts.

The project evolved into bigger mission after Kelsie and her mother, Beth Alling, volunteered at “The Magic Bicycle,” a threatre production is a production of First Stage Theater Company, who partnered with Variety of Wisconsin, a children’s charity that provides special equipment for kids with disabilities. The production inspired Kelsie to use her Campaign4Kindness fundraising to contribute to “Kids on the Go." The project provides grants to children with disabilities for adaptive bicycles, allowing them to share in a great childhood experience.

Gerise LaSpisa, executive director of Variety, had the idea to introduce Kelsie to Miranda, an 11-year-old from South Milwaukee who recently completed her application and fitting for an adaptive bike. “I set a dinner to roll the dice and see what happened,” LaSpisa said.

Miranda cannot walk on her own, forcing her to use forearm crutches. “When I was 5, they found a tumor on my spinal cord. I lost sensation in my right leg and had to use a wheelchair,” she said. When Miranda found out she was getting a bike, she was thrilled. “I’m really happy," she said. "All the kids in my neighborhood have bikes."

Miranda’s new blue and silver adaptive bike has lowered parts to make it easier for her to get on without pulling her leg over, along with a basket for her leg braces.

“It’s important for us to give her that independence, so she can do it all on her own,” LaSpisa said.

“After the bike fitting, Miranda was crying at dinner,” said Dua Vang-Ramirez, Miranda’s mother. “We love receiving a bike, but we want to give back somehow. It’s cool to see kids coming together to help each other.”

After their first meeting at the dinner organized by LaSpisa, Kelsie and Miranda decided to work together to sell the bracelets and fundraise for other kids to have adaptive bikes. The bikes cost about $1,200 depending on the needs of the child, so that became their fundraising goal.

“When we met at the dinner, we talked a lot about how Miranda struggles on a daily basis, and Kelsie has dairy allergies. Other kids struggle in their own way. Sometimes I think Miranda feels alone but she’s finding out she’s not,” said Dua Vang-Ramirez. 

Miranda said that since fundraising started, it’s been easier for her classmates to approach her about her disability and ask questions. “It makes me more confident. And knowing that I can’t get around better than them, students in the hall will say ‘Watch out! Careful for her!’ in a positive way,” she said.

Through word of mouth, social media and handing out flyers at their middle schools, the girls have already raised $600.

“It’s amazing when kids stop seeing differences and start seeing sameness,” said LaSpisa. 

To buy a bracelet or for more information on Kelsie and Miranda in their Campaign4Kindness, visit the Facebook event.