Stop Stuff Q&A with Kim Anderson, Founder of Gifts of Love from Above

SNM, Esq.
Aug 25, 2017
3 min read

I am truly the luckiest person on the planet because the work I do gives me the opportunity to meet the most amazing people, many of whom turn tragedy into life changing, world changing, work.

Kim Anderson, lost her brother, Marcus, to gun violence in 2011. Since then, Kim has put her efforts into Gifts of Love from Above ("GOLFA"), an organization created for the living children of those lost to gun violence.

I recently sat down with Kim to get her views on life, the world and Stopping Stuff.

How would you describe yourself to the world?

I would describe myself as thoughtful, compassionate and outgoing.

I truly care for others and their welfare.

I am a supportive friend and an advocate for change in the community.

What are you most passionate about and why?

Showing care and compassion to those who are grieving.

My passion and foucs is the emotional state of our children, especially for those who've have to deal with the tragic loss of a parent or guardian due to senseless gun violence.

Most children don't know how to process a tragic death, particularly when it's at the hands of another human being. They often have lots of questions and may not know how to express or cope with personal loss.

What have you personally overcome and what advice would you give to others experiencing the same thing?

The death of my baby brother by gun violence in 2011 was the most painful thing I have dealt with in my life.

The amount of emotional pain that it brought was overwhelming. Witnessing the pain my parents dealt with in losing their baby boy

(one of seven children) and watching my brother's children lose their father was truly devastating and heartbreaking.

My advice to others, who become a part of this unfortunate village with a new normal, is to be proactive and not just reactive.

I recommend contacting law makers and decision makers about enacting laws that make guns less accessible and more difficult to get into the wrong hands.

It's so important to speak to our youth about valuing their lives and the lives of others.

What do you think we need to stop and why?

We need to stop the senseless killing because it's causing us to lose the promise and potential and hopes and dreams for the next generation.

We need to stop racial profiling and start building better community relations with the police as positive role models and mentors who connect with our youth rather than judge them for their individual style.

We need to stop being quiet and speak up when we see injustices and wrongs being done to our fellow man.

We need to stop allowing race to divide us and embrace humanity with love and kindness to build a better future for all children.

What can we do to make the world a better place?

I live by the quote, "There are good people in this world. If, you can't find one, then be one."

What words of encouragement would you give to others?

Truly be the change you want to see in this world.

Do you believe we can change the world?

Yes. It's about action!

Being a positive voice and not standing back when you see wrong, but to speaking up for those who may not have the strength to.

The "no snitching" code that exists amongst this generation is unethical! Imagine if that was your mother, father, sister , brother or your child. Wouldn't you want justice?

Change the world by being that change! Make a difference by mentoring, and advocate for change.

Also, let your legislative leaders know that we won't stand for people permitted to own guns without safety training or for violent criminals to carry hidden, loaded handguns in our communities no matter where we live.

We want them to stop weak gun laws from passing through and putting us, the citizens they represent, at higher risk.

Gift of Love from Above' s mission is to honor the innocence of the children who are left behind and to help them process the death of their parent or guardian lost due to gun violence. In addition to other resources, they provide outreach programs like the GOLFA Care Camps, referrals for Certified Grief Counselors, and help with funeral grants due to the unexpected loss.

If you would like to support Kim's cause use the code "GOLFA" at www.stopstuff.com and proceeds will go directly to their foundation.

If you have a message to share and are interested in being included in STOP STUFF™ STORIES, please email me at info@stopstuff.com.

As always, I am deeply grateful for those who put in the work on our behalf for the collective good.