Choose Kind comes from the heart
Choosing kindness is at the heart of a campaign by local students Abbey and Bonnie Ashe.
The identical twin sisters from Garfield raised money for the Starlight Children’s Foundation and spread awareness about the importance of being kind by selling stickers with the slogan ‘Choose Kind’.
The stickers now appear throughout Marist-Sion College, the Baw Baw Shire and surrounding areas. They can be seen travelling around on the backs of people’s cars, on laptop lids and peeking out of school windows.
Spreading kindness is very important to the girls, as is supporting the foundation that supported them through much of their young lives.
Abbey and Bonnie were born with Treacher Collins Syndrome, a condition that causes craniofacial differences. They connected with workers from the Starlight Children’s Foundation through the Royal Children’s Hospital and were granted two wishes which allowed them to have experiences they might not have been able to otherwise.
Both had many first-hand experiences where others have chosen not to be kind, they have witnessed “large amounts” of bullying and hope that ‘Choose Kind’ will prompt people to think about the way they behave toward others.
They explained that, in their experience, bullying can follow people through school, into work, and while out in public - which can have a detrimental effect on wellbeing.
Abbey and Bonnie were inspired by the book-turned-movie ‘Wonder’ which follows a boy with Treacher Collins Syndrome. Wonder explores the protagonist’s life and the challenges he faces along the way. The running theme throughout the story is to be kind, and after its release, the ‘Choose Kind’ movement was created.
“We have always been kind and wanted to share our kindness,” Bonnie said.
Abbey said after seeing the movie and deciding to do a fundraiser she and Bonnie spoke with their mum, who helped them come up with the idea to print stickers.
Their Mum suggested that having stickers would allow the message to be put on cars and therefore be seen by more people.
The stickers were printed by their uncle’s business Benher Signs.
Through sticker sales, the girls managed to raise $1235 for the Starlight Children’s Foundation.
Bonnie said they never expected to reach $1000, let alone raise more than that and are very happy with the result.
While the sisters finished their fundraising campaign in 2020, they are still receiving requests from people who want to purchase stickers, and are more than happy to oblige.
Recently, they gifted a stack of stickers to Drouin Secondary College, with the stickers to be placed around the school, in classrooms and in offices.
Abbey and Bonnie attribute their achievements to the way they were raised. They said they were taught how to provide for themselves, stand up for themselves and speak up.
The sisters now hold three jobs and are each completing a TAFE course along with regular school studies - Abbey is studying beauty services and Bonnie is enrolled in allied health.
Marist-Sion College learning adjustment leader Peter Coghlan was very impressed with what his students have achieved.
“They’re very generous people, and helping other people and students is part of their nature,” he said.
To order a sticker, email bonnieashe50@outlook.com