Results: Creating Something Positive Out Of Something Negative

Madeleine Fugate may be only 13, but she's been following the news ever since the pandemic began — and it's changed her. So much so, that the eighth-grade student from Studio City, California was recently inspired to do something for the more than 222,000 Americans (and counting) who have lost their battle with the coronavirus so far. Earlier this year, Madeleine launched the COVID-19 Memorial Quilt Project, which she calls a "living memorial" to the victims. Have you heard about this project?

She began working on the quilt, then she started spreading the word on to others, asking for 8x8 squares from anyone who would like to honor a loved one who has died from the virus. Madeleine even started a website, CovidQuilt2020.com, where she explains the meaning behind her project and shares how others can get involved. To date, she has more than 70 contributions from people around the world — some from as far away as Scotland and New Zealand. "Someone sent us their dad's favorite T-shirt and we cut out the emblem to make a square for them. One square is a WWII veteran, but really, most people want their person to be known and remembered, so the most important thing we see is their name. Their name means they lived." Do you think this a beautiful tribute to the victims of this horrible virus?

Her inspiration for this idea and mother is Katherine Fugate, the writer, director, and producer behind the TV show Army Wives and films like Valentine's Day. Katherine told her daughter that back in the 1980s, she had once helped create a historic quilt, as well — the NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt, constructed during the AIDS epidemic. The quilt recently returned home to San Francisco, where it was first conceived and created in 1987 as an artistic expression of defiance against the deadly disease that ultimately claimed hundreds of thousands of lives. Do you remember hearing about this quilt?

At a time of such deep uncertainty, division, and grief, Madeline hopes to help people heal. "I hope it is a big deal if that means healing for people. There has been no mourning or grieving. People have lost people they love who deserve to be remembered." Do you find her extremely mature and sensitive for a young girl?