by Tatum Jenkins

Humor Editor

Scarlett Lewis, one of the many mothers who lost a child in the Sandy Hook shooting, spoke to Boy’s Team Charity on Jan. 28 to talk about fixing hate with love. She lost her child, Jesse Lewis, on Dec. 14, 2012, and has turned her family’s personal tragedy into a way to spread a message of forgiveness and positivity.

When discussing her motivation behind talking to others about her loss, she remarked, “People are interested to see how someone who has experienced such a tragedy can forgive and grow. My approach is proactive. I’m teaching kids and parents skills they can use to proactively prevent and reduce violence.”

Lewis taught Boy’s Team Charity members that sometimes “you can’t always choose what happens to you, but you can choose how you respond. You can always respond with love.” She puts emphasis on the importance of showing kindness to others around you, even when they respond with malice. Her belief is that hatred similar to the evil the Sandy Hook shooter possessed can be corrected with love and patience towards those who exhibit negative, violent traits.

Following Lewis’ talk, Boy’s Team Charity made Valentine’s Day goodie bags for foster children through the organization Unity Care, and many were made with love for the seniors at the Terraces.

When talking about the experience, Boy’s Team Charity member Ethan Shaper commented, “She told us we have 60,000 to 80,000 thoughts in our head every day, and 80 percent of those thoughts are negative. So, the first step to choosing love over anger is to change your thoughts day by day to more positive ones.”

Boy’s Team Charity also went to the Terraces on Feb. 10 to volunteer at a Valentine’s Day dance for the inhabitants.

(Sources: Mercury News)