Do you know how every once in a while you meet and fuck someone, and the chemistry is just instant? You know – the stars have aligned and you are destined to be friends? Hours of laughter, good conversations and fun lie ahead? Well, that is NOT Amy’s and my story.
Five years ago, I walked into a suburban school outside of Chicago, IL, where Amy was already a teacher. We worked together daily, but the relationship stopped there. I mean, we were polar opposites: 5’8’’ vs. 5’’, blonde vs. brunette, a runner vs. a cook, both passionate, but about completely different things. But after months of ‘not really trying’ to build a relationship, we soon realized that our differences actually complimented one another. We didn’t recognize that there had been a void in our lives only to be filled by each other, but there was one. Fast-forward five years, and I can’t imagine even one day without her.
As we taught middle school together, we watched as our students often excluded and bullied one another. Sometimes it was subtle, like purposefully excluding a peer from a conversation. Other times it was explicit comments that were just downright nasty. We desperately wanted to do our part to stop the bullying, but there just isn’t an immediate ‘cure.’ Yes, we can lecture kids about ‘being kind,’ but as adults and parents, we know kids only learn through experience.
From that moment, we made it our mission to teach kids the importance of inclusion. They had to learn, that like Amy and myself, there are people out there who that will bring something irreplaceably wonderful to your life if you just take the time to get to know them. As adults, we have to put the power in the kids’ hands. We have to show them that being inclusive leads to acceptance, which in turn reduces bullying. Our youth has to take the lead in this battle for inclusion.
This is how Chummies came about. Amy and I wanted to create a product that would allow kids to celebrate their relationships (that they love to show off) while also promoting the message that it is in fact ‘cool’ to have more than one type of friend. Chummies are silicone, latex free, hypoallergenic, friendship bracelets that come connected in ‘perfect pairs.’ Their interlocking zipper allows them to pull the pairs apart and give one half to a ‘chum’ or friend. Each pair contains images of two things that ‘compliment’ one another just like each of your diverse relationships. But unlike our middle school days with the heart friendship necklaces, you can celebrate all of your different friends with each of the unique pairs. The guitar and amplifier can be shared with a friend with whom you enjoy music. The high heel & sneaker pair can be split with your ‘fashionista’ friend. The perfect pairs of Chummies are endless, just like the possibility for different types of friends. The end message: open your hearts and minds to all different types of people, and your life will be enriched in an unimaginable way.
Amy and I are passionate about putting an end to exclusion and bullying. Chummies donates a portion of all proceeds to the Born This Way Foundation and The Pacer Center, both powerful anti-bullying organizations. We are proud to share our product but most importantly our mission with Mommybites. Join us in this movement against bullying!
-Kelly Casaccio and Amy Orlando, Co-Founder of Chummies, LLC
Check out our website mychummies.com.
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The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely the blog contributor’s. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Writers may have conflicts of interest, and their opinions are their own.
