About this sponsorship: In honor of the 60th anniversary of Sir Edmund Hillary’s historic ascent of Mount Everest, Patch and Grape-Nuts are teaming up to highlight those who inspire people around them to climb their own mountains.
A visit to Chasing Rainbows will tell the story behind Gavin Leong's life, his health issues and the progress he had miraculously made, the "paying it forward" his life has prompted, and the outpouring of community generorsity regarding his funeral last week in the blog written by his mom, Kate Gallagher Leong, who was raised in Plymouth Meeting.
After Gavin died at the age of 5 on April 14, his mom asked followers on the Chasing Rainbows Facebook page to help others in Gavin’s name—find a special needs classroom in your community and donate toys you have lying around; help someone struggling to unload groceries; volunteer at a hospital; donate clothes to a women’s shelter; make dinner for a special needs mother in your family… and any other ways to positively impact peoples’ lives.
“Think of Gavin when you do it,” Gallagher Leong said on Facebook. “Share his story with the person you are blessing. Tell them that Gavin Leong changed the world with little acts of courage, determination and a sweet smile... without ever saying a word. And then ask them to pay it forward to honor his legacy.”
Gallagher Leong asked her followers to share the good deeds, and photos, on the Chasing Rainbow’s Facebook page, and they have been flowing in ever since the request was posted.
People from across the county—from Massachusetts to Texas and beyond—have been purchasing coffee for others, donating to non-profits, running 5K races in honor of Gavin, Speak for Yourself, donated clothing, art supplies, volunteering at a local nursing home, purchasing meals and leaving notes for strangers. For a full list of the good deeds done in Gavin's name, visit the Chasing Rainbows Facebook page.
The makers of “Speak for Yourself” app, which helps children who are unable to speak, have given dozens of the apps—that retail at nearly $200—away in Gavin’s honor.
Additionally, the local community rallied around the Leongs for the funeral.
Gene McGonagle, owner of the Ambler Flower Shop, donated all flowers for the funeral. When Gallagher Leong said on Facebook she was looking for a videographer, dozens offered to help.
For much more on the Leong family's story, visit the Chasing Rainbows website.