Kindness Activist learned of a death in the �family� today.� I am sorry to share that the beloved, magical, and mysterious E.A. Raven has died. E.A. Raven was what could be called the �patron saint� of Kindness Activist.� She...
Kindness Activist learned of a death in the �family� today.�
I am sorry to share that the beloved, magical, and mysterious E.A. Raven has died.
E.A. Raven was what could be called the �patron saint� of Kindness Activist.� She contributed so much over the last 10 months.
And yet � she remained a mystery.�
We never met.� I was never sure how she had found out about our work.�
But she was one of the most enthusiastic supporters ever.
I think it all started in December of 2022.� The annual Santa Project was underway � an event that invites children to write and mail letters to the North Pole right from our house in South Arlington, Virginia.� In 2022, 229 letters were written to Santa.� And each and every one of those children who wrote received a personal letter from Santa and at least one gift that they had asked for (most kids got 2 or 3 things).
The Santa Project is a herculean task, and last year I harnessed the power of the people and ASKED FOR HELP.� I made an Amazon wish list with things the letter writers were asking for and shared the link to the list.
That�s when the magic started.
Packages started arriving with Amazon notes signed �E.A. Raven�.� And not just one package, no, the mystery donor granted wish after wish after wish.� I was astounded and oh so thankful.
But the deliveries didn�t stop after Christmas was over.� Instead, they became even more frequent�� E.A. Raven would send food and toiletries to help stock the Little Yellow Free Pantry, a pantry outside our home that helps neighbors experiencing food insecurity make ends meet.� E.A. Raven followed the wish list for the Little Yellow Pantry and sent so, so, so many wonderful things.
One thing I loved about her gifts for the pantry is that she was not judgmental in the least.� Many people who donate food wouldn�t think to donate something �extravagant� like jelly or cake frosting or cookies.� But E.A. Raven and I agreed � everybody deserves good food, and that includes a treat now and then.� Food pantries shouldn�t be just cans of tuna and green beans.
She and I developed a friendship, I like to think.� A friendship, even though we never met.�
And even though I didn�t know who this beautiful human was.�
I don�t know how she found out about Kindness Activist.� Maybe she saw the story on CBS News?� Maybe she read a piece in the Washington Post?� However she heard about our mission, she was 100% on board and supported our work with a passion.
I didn�t have any way to communicate with E.A. Raven.� Well, no way except to scan the codes on the Amazon gift notes included in the boxes and write her thank you notes.� I loved writing them.� I would thank her for whatever she sent, then sometimes tell her about the weather we were having.� Remind her how grateful we were for her donations.� Sometimes my messages were too long (there is a character limit to Amazon thank you s) and I would have to write �cont� on one and write more on the next note.�
I tried to get some details from her, to solve the mystery.� I wanted to send her a Kind Is Cool t-shirt � asked her size and where to send it.� No reply.�
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I must confess that my friends and I were a bit obsessed about this stranger.� We fantasized about who this wonderful woman must be.� At first, we thought she was using a nom de plume � after all � E. A. Raven sounds a bit like Edgar Allen (Poe), author of The Raven�
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I resorted to Googling her.� I found a Facebook page that I thought was hers that was meant to showcase her writing, but it was closed.� Still, I sent a message.� No response.�
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I found some information online about a person who I thought was her�� Perhaps this was her � a woman who held a patent�
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But really, the mystery was part of the allure.� Not knowing who she was somehow made the boxes and boxes and boxes that arrived full of donations even more special.
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A few months ago, one of the notes included with a donation explained that she was going to be in the hospital having a procedure done.� I was worried, as were the members of the Pantry Crew.� We wanted to send her flowers and a get well card.� I asked again for her address in a thank you, no reply.
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Because you see, it was not the donations we were missing.� It was our friend.� Our far away, never before seen, mysterious magical friend.
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She sent a few more things.� She included a sweet note that said she was in rehab now and it was difficult to order off Amazon using her phone.� I wished on a star for her to get well.
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Today I got an email from another stranger, E.A. Raven�s sister.� She broke the news: �My sister Betty Raven loved donating items to your charity.� Sadly, she passed a week ago.� I wanted to inform you so that you understand why she stopped donating.�
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I cried.� Cried for a woman I had never met but was so very thankful for.� I asked her sister when the memorial service would be because I hoped I could take time to go and honor her.� Sadly, the services have already happened.� And strangely, she died on Mary Day, the anniversary of my mom�s death in 2002.
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Her sister sent a link to the obituary.� It was not until her death that I found out exactly who E.A. Raven was.� And boy oh boy, was she a powerhouse.� She paved the way for women who followed in her footsteps.� I wish I could have met her.� I think we would�ve gotten along swimmingly.
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Rest in peace, E.A. Raven.� You brightened our lives with your mystery.� You made us smile with your sweet notes.� You taught us that we can be friends with those we have never met.� You fed many, many people in this community.� You were a shining example of KINDNESS.�
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Thank you.
Here is a link to her inspirational obituary:��E.A. Raven
