Action Responses to Recent Shootings

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As we enter Gun Violence Awareness Month, I'd like to quote volunteer Linda King from her Soul Box Story on our web page:

“There's lots of ways to protest, to tell people what I think they should do, but The Soul Box Project doesn't do any of that. Soul Box just says: Look what's happening. Let us show you why we need to do something. This is why.”

I think it's important to stick with this concept of beautifully revealing the heart-breaking truth that mass shootings like Buffalo and Uvalde are less than one percent of annual gunfire deaths. We can keep hope and activism alive when pain and suffering have an inspirational outlet to honor our collective losses and promote healing from trauma. Other organizations are clamoring for legislation, but for laws to be effective people need to understand the reason to abide by them.
Our job is to show: “This is why.”

- Leslie Lee, Founder

Two Ways to Take Action NOW

March with a Soul Box Backpack on June 11. After the 2018 Parkland school shooting in Florida, Soul Box Project 47 volunteers showed up at the March for Our Lives rally wearing clear back packs, each displaying 100 Soul Boxes to singly represent daily deaths from gunfire and collectively represent the 4,697 children under 18 killed or injured in 2017- March 2018. We attracted a lot of attention!

In response to the school shooting in Uvalde, March For Our Lives is once again is calling for marches all over the country. We have those backpacks if you or your group would like to wear them at the Portland march and hand out Soul Box Project cards. Contact info@soulboxproject.org for information.

Back packs at Multnomah Days parade, 2018

Do you have something to say about gun violence in America?
In collaboration with #Enough: Plays to End Gun Violence we want to share their creative new rapid response campaign, inviting you to make your voice heard – literally. Act by June 11! Get all the details.

Soul Boxes in Action

#Enough: Plays to End Gun Violence staged nationwide readings of eight 10-minute plays written by teens on the topic of gun violence on April 20. Third Rail Repertory Theatre in Portland, Oregon, displayed over 500 Soul Boxes as a backdrop. A reading at Orlando Repertory Theatre, Florida, also included Soul Boxes.

Connect 2 Be The Change with South Bend Civic Theatre–South Bend, IN also hosted #Enough readings.

South Bend residents made 130 Soul Boxes to show the number of gunfire deaths in their city alone since January 2017.

St. Luke Lutheran Church in Portland, Oregon, displayed 2,940 Soul Boxes the week following the ELCA’s “Rachel’s Day.” Last year the congregation made nearly 1,000 Boxes for our D.C. exhibition.
Thank you for helping us reach our goal of 200,000 Soul Boxes and for creating this powerful display!

In response to the school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, Lift Every Voice Oregon held a press conference at Augustana Lutheran Church in Portland. The Soul Box Project was there. Rabbi Michael Z. Cahana called attention to the Boxes, saying "They are not decoration" but represented over 440 children under the age of 12 who have been shot in 2022.

Upcoming Soul Box Collaborations

The Washington Mystics Women’s Basketball Team will be displaying 1,176 Soul Boxes at their June 3rd game in D.C. as part of their Wear Orange Weekend. They are inviting folks to create and dedicate Soul Boxes that can be incorporated into their display.

.The Soul Box Project will also be at these
Wear Orange Locations Nationwide

June 3

Frankfort KY Moms Demand Action. Make Soul Boxes to display in Louisville 5:30-8:00 at Completely Kentucky, 237 W. Broadway St.

June 4

Louisville KY Moms Demand ActionWear Orange. Peace Walk & Survivor Remembrance, 12 PM at Trinity’s House Christian Childcare Ctr, 4106 Greenwood Ave
Portland OR Moms Demand Action and Portland Office of Violence Prevention. Gather 1:00-4:00pm at Holy Beanz Coffee Shop, 2622 NE Alberta St, Portland, OR 97211
Athens GA Moms Demand Action 10:30 AM at Bishop Park, 705 Sunset Drive
Lynchburg VA, SWAG Foundation 11:00-4:00 at Daniels Hill Recreation Center, 314 Cabell Street

Welcome Our New Staff Members

Joe and Imma are proving to be big assets to our organization. Both of them have expertise and a knack for teamwork, and are appreciating their energy and new perspectives as we move forward with new ideas and actions.

Imma Craan – Social Media Lead

With a background in Human Communication focusing on media, race, gender, and sexuality, Imma naturally found herself at the intersection of community and art. She enjoys traveling, making music, and spending as much time as possible with her loved ones.

Joe Gibson
Administrative Assistant

Joe is an actor and artist who is interested in social change and also experienced in administration. After two years in L.A. managing multiple executives, he has returned to Portland to earn a degree in psychology.

Donate Your Computer

Several years ago I was gifted a 2010 iMac desktop with a 21.5” screen. It has served me well considering the amount of time I spend on it managing the Soul Box Project. It’s now getting cranky and I’m looking for a 2014 model or newer. Contact joegibson@soulboxproject.org if you have a computer to donate or have any questions. In kind donations are tax deductible!

Thank you ! ~ Leslie

Thanks to YOU, our work goes on...

We are grateful for your ongoing financial support
that allows us to continue
COUNTING. CARING. CONNECTING.

WAYS TO GIVE

Once again, we thank our many generous donors!
You are on our website.

Soul Box Project USA is a charitable and educational organization as described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. EIN: 84-2971470. Your donation is tax-deductible.

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The Soul Box Project · PO Box 19900 · Portland, OR 97280 · USA