Phew, 2025 was a hard year. If it felt heavier than usual for you too, you’re not alone.
As someone who’s no stranger to anxiety, I’ve learned that doing something positive—even something small—makes me feel infinitely better. So when the Seattle GiveCamp email hit my inbox in September, I said yes without thinking twice.
Seattle GiveCamp is a weekend-long marathon where tech and creative professionals volunteer their skills to help nonprofits solve real problems. As Friday night check-in got closer, I hesitated. I had a cold, I was exhausted, and I wasn’t sure I had the energy to work all weekend. Besides, did they even need me?
I’d already committed, so I ignored my doubts, drank a coffee, and showed up. It was one of the best decisions I made all year.
Showing Up When You’re Not Sure You’re Needed
I joined about 40 volunteers—mostly tech folks of all different types, ages, and skill levels. I was the only graphic designer, and my fears were totally unfounded. Of the eight nonprofit groups who presented projects, four could have used my help.
I chose to work with Be Kind 5, a local organization inspiring kindness and community connection, especially for youth. They needed a website redesign to better attract donors and showcase their impact more clearly and effectively.
Suddenly, I was off and running in a 48-hour design and coding marathon. There were sticky notes everywhere, too many coffees, and that surge of creative energy that shows up right when you need it most. I was surrounded by smart people who showed up, left their egos at the door, and said yes to helping in whatever way was needed.
When Everything Clicked
Somewhere between wireframing new page layouts and reorganizing content, something shifted. Taking action—doing one concrete, meaningful thing—felt so much better than sitting with worry.
Seeing the Be Kind 5 team light up as the new site took shape reminded me why I do this work. I had no idea how to code a SquareSpace site, but between Claude.ai and my two teammates, we made magic, and I learned new skills that I’m already putting into practice. You can see the results at bekind5.org.
It gave me energy I didn’t realize I’d lost.
What I’m Taking Forward
GiveCamp reminded me that hope grows when we take action. Momentum comes from movement, no matter how small. And doing good work still makes a real difference.
That weekend reaffirmed my commitment to helping community-focused organizations tell their stories clearly and show their impact. Whether it’s a website redesign, a printed report, or social media graphics, the work we do together helps strengthen the communities you serve.
As we head into the new year, I’m carrying forward this lesson: we don’t have to solve everything at once. We just have to keep doing the next good thing.
Thank you for the important work you do—and for letting me support it. Here’s to stronger stories, deeper connections, and more impact in the year ahead.