@DBPardes
Deborah Pardes
@DBPardes · 1:46

MAKING A DIFFERENCE: A talk with Linde Hotchkiss: 2000 + miles and counting

And I'm bringing this up because I wanted to start a conversation today on my own Swell cast with a woman who I've admired so much because she is part of the solution. She is raising money and has raised money for the Dana Farber Cancer Institute in a really profound way. We can all write checks, right? And sometimes we write checks to support others. And then there are others who actually get physically and spiritually and emotionally and logistically involved in a cause

One person inviting us all to check in with ourselves - let’s do this!! https://s.swell.life/SSb5b0oL2GqgrC9

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@AmaraV16
Amara Vergara Agyakwa
@AmaraV16 · 1:15
You should be aware of the problem and the money that could go to organizing a whole entire five course meal, dinner auction, whatever that could go to, whatever you're donating to. And I never really understood that. So I think it's really important to remember that if you care about something, we should be a part of changing it rather than just donating. And, of course, donating is really helpful
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@lindehotchkiss
Linde Hotchkiss
@lindehotchkiss · 1:30
Because of this, it feels like every person who lives on that route is at the end of their driveway, cheering us on. There are bands, bubbles, music, people in costumes, signs, noisemakers, shouts of encouragement. It is amazing and emotional, and I'm in tears for a good portion of the ride. There is so much more that every participant gets out of being there and showing up than just writing a check
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@DBPardes
Deborah Pardes
@DBPardes · 2:26

Inspiring others - what keeps us back? @lindehotchkiss

I think you hit the nail on the head when you talk about the power of community and feeling support and knowing that you're making a difference and having that literal, like, visceral connection to people at the end of their driveways. It must be amazing. I really can picture it. I've been at these kinds of events and cheer people like you on. I love supporting you when I can, financially and also just spiritually
@lindehotchkiss
Linde Hotchkiss
@lindehotchkiss · 3:14
They're writing for this person, inspired by that person. And this man had something written on his calves. And I was not close enough to read what it said yet. And I'm watching his calves, and I'm going up this Hill, and it comes into focus, and he had living on one calf proof on the other. And I lost my crap. The tears started streaming down my face, and I realized that in that moment that I could do anything for a day
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@AmaraV16
Amara Vergara Agyakwa
@AmaraV16 · 1:04
And I think it's important to remember that every little thing that we do affects others in some way. So hopefully we can do the best and try to do small things or big things. But if we can then try to do small things that will just end up being so much greater than we really think they are. And just being there for different people is extremely important. So thank you for sharing those of words. They were beautiful
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@DBPardes
Deborah Pardes
@DBPardes · 1:59

@AmaraV16 infinity loop of care / self care

Hey, Linde, thank you so much for sharing that specific timeline with us and how you kind of unfolded and packed up and unfolded and just the transition from building that bike to meeting that guy to having that conviction. And then when I hear Maura speak about her response, and I just feel like this is the work we do, we share. We ripple this idea forward
@Swell
Swell Team
@Swell · 0:15

Welcome to Swell!

@WendiHinrichs
Wendi Hinrichs
@WendiHinrichs · 0:44
And if you can't do something big, then, you know, do something little and it really does make a difference in the world. So thanks a lot for sharing it. And I really enjoy listening to that
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@lindehotchkiss
Linde Hotchkiss
@lindehotchkiss · 2:22
And so I would say there are those that are inspired to step out and to do for others. And in this case, it was just showing up and being a show of force with my friends who understand how important it is to me. And I would say last year again in the Pandemic, I raised more than $15,000, which meant that people were giving in a very similar way. I think it was just a couple of $1,000 less than the most that I've ever raised
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