At Ziggleoafing Books, every purchase helps support mental health.
Each month, we donate a portion of proceeds to an organization making a difference.
Here’s who we’re celebrating this month & why they matter:
Meeting Like-Minded Organizations. . .
we love roller derby.
My daughter’s first Roller Derby event is a memory that will forever bring me happiness.
We wanted to complete an act of kindness, & decided to offer free face-painted rainbows. But my daughter surprised me with a level of bravery I didn’t know she had. She transformed the idea into something even bigger, she walked around by herself, with a sign that read “Act of Kindness: Free Face Paint, offering strangers free unicorn rainbow horns.
She approached people one by one. Not just children, but adults. Not just women, but men too. At first, many politely declined. But she didn’t give up. She kept smiling, kept offering, & eventually something amazing happened, she had a line waiting.
Some of the people who initially said “no thank you” came back & said, “Actually… yes, I’d love one.” By the end of the evening, she had offered more than 50 acts of kindness & created 27 little moments of joy.
What stayed with me most was watching her courage.
When Roller Derby rolled around again, she was adamant we go, bring her brother, & we all do another act together. This session, we had two ideas: 1. she wanted to hand out some of her extra candy 2. we offered free polaroid group photos (inspired by a DDG grantee).
She randomly chose people based on outfits she wanted to compliment, hairstyles she liked, people ingroups, & people alone (aka basically anyone & everyone). This is how I met Punk Rock Saves Lives. A really well done mohawk deserved a lollipop & an introduction was made!
“A small but mighty crew of road dogs, volunteers, music lovers, & activists who believe in the power of punk to change the world.
We’re the people at the table handing out Narcan, test strips, and emergency contraception — no judgment, just compassion. We’re the ones inviting you to swab your cheek and maybe save someone’s life.”
What Resonated?
High School was a continual struggle to fit in- but within the crew I had we were punk rock concert loving, sitting around the floor singing lyrics loudly, feeling like we belong happiness.
Concerts were a place of belonging. My memories of support- having strangers give me a few dollars here & there to get a show ticket, offering water bottles or food to those energy wan in the pit, helping me crowd surf no matter my size, protecting us shorties from crowd surfers falling on us, randomly running into each other in a pit & picking each other up- unspoken moments of community, friendship, & support. . .
When I saw the Punk Rock Saves Lives table- logos- signage, it brought me back to my days of pink hair, gauged ears, band shirts & hoodies- but also help. I smiled at their spread: support for anyone & everyone- & I immediately asked, how do we get involved.
I want to donate supplies- funds- time- & more…so let’s make that happen. Throughout Aug &Sept proceeds from purchases will help make an impact. . .
“I’m just a troubador & I’m in love with you!”
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