niceLena & Friends COVID-19 Support

Lena Kim is organizing this fundraiser.

Donation protected

I can't believe we opened niceLena & Friends 1 and a half years ago and we did it in 6 weeks! This location is special to us, we have lived in South Evanston for the last 13 years and raised our girls in this neighborhood. I was there at every drop off and pick up from school. So many of you are my neighbors and I have watched your kids grow. We played at the same schools, parks, and beaches. We made giant bubbles, water blobs, and lit 100 sky lanterns together. (shhhh, don’t tell anyone). We looked for lice together! TMI.

Building Community as a philosophy is the driving force behind my shop. I sought to connect with each person that walked in here. Being a maker means that I turn what is in my heart into a thing of love. It’s the purest, and most joyful thing. I searched through my photos to share on this campaign and I can’t believe the amazing things we have done together. I helped you make buttons, magnets, cards, and keychains. I put meaningful words, dates, and initials on jewelry for your loved ones. I put their faces on mugs, ornaments, and tote bags! I fixed your old jewelry and random odd things. I filled your homes with candles, and refilled your old jars from home. We threw parties together. School PTA fundraisers, birthdays, bachelorette parties, and goddess celebrations (basically, witches). I started a FAIRY DOOR project for the neighborhood and my shop produces rainbows. I work inside a giant rainbow, pretty much.

What a feat. I hit the ground running and created something amazing. Most of last year and a half I was too busy to really take it all in but Covid-19 put me in standstill. It’s humbling to put a fundraiser campaign together in these times. It feels too self centered when everything has been turned upside down and people have lost so much. I go back and forth between the old system and what I hope will be a new one. This is my show of optimism and hope. That this is temporary and small businesses like mine are what was good with the old system and what we need to preserve in the next.

Covid-19 completely stopped our momentum and put us in time out. We see this playing out for the next few months and we cannot keep our doors open without walk in sales. We need your help, in contribution of any amount or just sharing our campaign. You can also purchase Gift Certificates or shop online at http://www.nicelena.com/ (we will update often). If you believe in what I am trying to build and you are a fan of all my crazy ideas, then stick with me. We’ll go places.

Lastly, I miss you all like crazy. I miss your faces, your kids faces, and all the stories. We’ll get through this. We’re all in this together.