48 Products That'll Give You A Magical Transformation For Stuff You Already Own
A portable fabric shaver with three speeds to help defuzz your sweaters, sweatpants, coats, couches — all kinds of things! Before you consider upgrading from a beloved coat or sweater, give this gadget a spin.
A leather stain remover spray that'll turn back time on your leather couch, purse, boots, basically whatever that, despite leather usually withstanding most stains, is really showing its wear. This stuff is transformative!
A shoe stretch spray so you can make those go-go boots you scored at an estate sale or the thrift for criminally cheap work for all your fun ensembles.
Some leather zipper boot inserts with eyelets so you'll lace 'em into your Docs you don't wear as often as you should because you hate lacing 'em up when you're just trying to get out the door. Let's get your money's worth out of those boots and make getting dressed so much easier! (Psst, they're made to work with *all* brands.)
A set of universal purse holder hooks in case you rarely travel with just one bag or often find yourself putting your groceries in the backseat. No more fumbling to fish your sunglasses out of your bag. Make your car work harder for you!
A pack of stain-removing, nontoxic cleaning cups to clean out your Keurig's innards once your coffee starts tasting a bit funny.
Boot-Fix Glue so you can avoid going to the shoe-repair store because it always ends up being MUCH more expensive than you assumed.
A handbag organizer with LOTS of pockets that'll help you make the most of that tote you ADORE but REALLY needs far more organization. Or maybe it just (embarrassingly) has pen marks all over inside of it and you're trying to cover it up? Talk about a win-win.
A HUGE pack of denture- and retainer-cleaning tablets that, YES, can de-gunk that $$$ mouthguard you got talked into at the dentist. But it will also turn back time on stained coffee mugs and thermoses so you aren't tempted to invest in new ones when you've got perfectly good ones at home. (Or you can even revive ones found at the thrift or from your local buy-nothing group!)
A set of Solemates heel protectors to save your stilettos from grassy walks as a bridesmaid, wedding guest, or someone who just got invited to a fancy shindig. Now you won't have to worry about defaulting to block heels or dropping your shoes off for repair afterward. And because they're clear, they're unnoticeable.
A specific ink remover that'll remove all sorts of pen accidents and transform hand-me-downs that have been etched with Sharpie pens.
A two-pack of deodorant-removing sponges can rub away those ghostly stains that you ALL TOO OFTEN realize are a thing once you're wearing your dang shirt. It isn't a goner! You just need this sponge.
A set of Snug Plugs if your hair dryer plug keeps falling out of the bathroom outlet and you're starting to wonder if you need to get a pro involved. These little contraptions make a snug fit between outlets and plugs to keep 'em where you want.
Washing machine-descaling tablets that'll work on both top- and front-loading machines to erase any lingering mildew smells — whether you've had this machine for ages and want to keep it running 'til the day you die. Or you got a steal on a used machine and now you know WHY.
And some dishwasher-descaling tablets to help clean the thing that cleans your dishes. It deserves a deep clean too! A box of these will cost MUCH less than a visit from the repair person to take a look.
Waterproof cushion covers that'll help guard your new couch against your pups. OR cover up some unsightly stains from an otherwise-good couch you found curbside.
Leather Honey conditioner will breathe new life into all kinds of tired-looking leather, like on couches, boots, purses, and more. It's nontoxic, non-oily, and will help your leather goods look and FEEL much better. Oh, and it's water-repellent! It might even have you doing double takes at those looked-over boots at the thrift.
A jar of the The Pink Stuff — a TikTok-famous cleaning paste made to handle all kinds of sticky, stuck-on situations like this nasty-looking kitchen faucet. This'll seriously come in handy even if your roomie has gotten better about cleaning as of late. Sometimes you just need a new product to get halfway excited about doing chores.
An expandable under-sink kit that'll fit around awkward pipes in the kitchen or bathroom while giving some sturdy ground to those bottles of cleaner and everyone's beauty products. No more cabinet avalanches!
And a drawer organizer set to Lego-fit all the containers into your drawer so you can have the bathroom drawer or junk drawer of your Instagram dreams — or at least a drawer that works for your living situation.
A universal remote attachment so you don't have to hunt down the TV remote and then the Fire TV remote because SOMEONE misplaced them once again. This'll help you control it all with just your Fire TV remote.
A six-outlet wall charger can comfortably fit all the chargers you require. Plus! it has two USB fast-charging ports *and* a night-light.
An adhesive cord organizer made specifically to stick on the back of appliances to tidy up your counters.
A pack of dual-sided SneakErasers that'll do nearly everything that pair of Sambas you've been wearing for the past six months need for zhuzhing up. One side will cleans scuffs, dirt stains, and grime, and the other side whitens them.
Some liquid fabric dye can give your canvas sneakers a new life. The Rit website has a TON of official tutorials!
And a powder fabric dye to help update anything in your closet you're feeling a bit meh about, has faded more than you'd like, or would serve you better in a different hue.
A jean button replacement kit in case the problem with your go-to pair is actually the hardware. Yes, $9 for a one-time fix can feel steep. But y'know what's steeper? Finding another pair and then paying for 'em. Oh, and there are MULTIPLE replacement buttons in this kit.
Grandma's Secret, an under-the-radar solution with serious stain-removing prowess — like, cleaning pen from a white leather couch.
Some bra bands that can easily add some extra space to your trusty underthing you aren't quite ready to part with. Bras are incredibly expensive, and these aren't!
A puffer jacket repair kit to work around small rips and tears without having to toss a whole item of outerwear.
A tie-dye kit can be a fun solution to cover up a stain that won't go away as an afternoon activity that'll make you wanna wear the piece of clothing for years to come! Psst, this might be perfect for those white T-shirts that have pit or neck stains.
A waist extender that'll help you get FAR more use out of those pants you're nervous about wearing to dinner because they're right on the cusp of being hard to button up. No need to replace! Be free! Use a waist extender!
And on the flip side, a set of jean button pins to save the day when you're in between sizes on jeans you love — this pin helps you tighten up a waist gap on top. And all it takes is pressing it in. That's it!
A four-way cleaning brush will make big moves on those black suede (or nubuck!) boots you decided to shuffle around in the dirt while wearing last weekend. Their days are no longer numbered.
A set of Stretchlace shoelaces that'll transform your lace-up sneakers into some slip-ons whether you're simply tired of lacing up your shoes or some recent mobility issues have made it harder to lace the regular cotton laces.
Some bright shoelaces that come in a set of 15 colors to help brighten up some still-perfectly-fine sneakers in a way that'll get you pumped to wear them.
And if you're REALLY into putting in some effort, a leather paint set will help you get creative with your leather shoes and accessories. Sometimes you just need to breathe some new life into a beloved accessory.
An attachable LED light for your vacuum because you've been eyeing the Dyson with the dust-finding light after your friend said she bought it but you KNOW you don't need to get a whole new vacuum. This is under $20 AND, according to the reviewer quoted below, just might not be a good thing because you'll see even more dirt and dust that needs cleaning!
A velvet slipcover will give your ragged old couch a completely new look. Plus, the slipcover comes with straps to keep it in place so you don't have to fuss with it all the time.
Or perhaps you could use some washable dining chair slipcovers so you can make actual use of that dining set your aunt is offering up for free but isn't quite your style. Reviewers say they're super easy to use and work on various sized chairs.
And consider a stretchy arm chair slipcover to help transform that perfectly fine (but hideous) chair you found on Facebook Marketplace for a song.
Some cushion supports in case lots of work-from-home days — which you're very grateful for, btw — has aged your couch at a rapid rate. These'll help plump up your cushions and make the couch look like new(er).
A snazzy couch cushion to keep your seat cushions safe from your pets, kids, and adults you also reside with — OK, from you too. It can also seriously scratch the itch for a new couch.
An enamel paint safe to use on metal appliances and more (think washers, dryers, fridges, tubs, bed frames) with unsightly rust stains or scratches but still run perfectly fine.
A flexible, moldable rubbery glue called Sugru that's also waterproof, heat- and cold-resistant you can use on a variety of things that need fixing. So that pricey Apple computer charger can live to see MANY more workdays. May you never know the pain of having to buy a replacement.
A couch cup holder that'll even fit your Stanely cup. If your living room setup means that your coffee or side table won't fit as close to your couch as you'd like, here's an easy answer that won't require moving *or* replacing furniture.
Some magnetic garage handles and faux windows that'll bring some serious curb appeal to your home for an EXTREMELY small fraction of the price of getting some carriage-style doors. They're pricey as heck. These magnets are not.
Some vinyl picnic table and bench covers reviewers found extremely helpful for camping and park use, BUT will also help your OG picnic table in your yard look more presentable while protecting you from splinters.
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Buzz Feed
5 hours ago
- Buzz Feed
48 Products That'll Give You A Magical Transformation For Stuff You Already Own
A portable fabric shaver with three speeds to help defuzz your sweaters, sweatpants, coats, couches — all kinds of things! Before you consider upgrading from a beloved coat or sweater, give this gadget a spin. A leather stain remover spray that'll turn back time on your leather couch, purse, boots, basically whatever that, despite leather usually withstanding most stains, is really showing its wear. This stuff is transformative! A shoe stretch spray so you can make those go-go boots you scored at an estate sale or the thrift for criminally cheap work for all your fun ensembles. Some leather zipper boot inserts with eyelets so you'll lace 'em into your Docs you don't wear as often as you should because you hate lacing 'em up when you're just trying to get out the door. Let's get your money's worth out of those boots and make getting dressed so much easier! (Psst, they're made to work with *all* brands.) A set of universal purse holder hooks in case you rarely travel with just one bag or often find yourself putting your groceries in the backseat. No more fumbling to fish your sunglasses out of your bag. Make your car work harder for you! A pack of stain-removing, nontoxic cleaning cups to clean out your Keurig's innards once your coffee starts tasting a bit funny. Boot-Fix Glue so you can avoid going to the shoe-repair store because it always ends up being MUCH more expensive than you assumed. A handbag organizer with LOTS of pockets that'll help you make the most of that tote you ADORE but REALLY needs far more organization. Or maybe it just (embarrassingly) has pen marks all over inside of it and you're trying to cover it up? Talk about a win-win. A HUGE pack of denture- and retainer-cleaning tablets that, YES, can de-gunk that $$$ mouthguard you got talked into at the dentist. But it will also turn back time on stained coffee mugs and thermoses so you aren't tempted to invest in new ones when you've got perfectly good ones at home. (Or you can even revive ones found at the thrift or from your local buy-nothing group!) A set of Solemates heel protectors to save your stilettos from grassy walks as a bridesmaid, wedding guest, or someone who just got invited to a fancy shindig. Now you won't have to worry about defaulting to block heels or dropping your shoes off for repair afterward. And because they're clear, they're unnoticeable. A specific ink remover that'll remove all sorts of pen accidents and transform hand-me-downs that have been etched with Sharpie pens. A two-pack of deodorant-removing sponges can rub away those ghostly stains that you ALL TOO OFTEN realize are a thing once you're wearing your dang shirt. It isn't a goner! You just need this sponge. A set of Snug Plugs if your hair dryer plug keeps falling out of the bathroom outlet and you're starting to wonder if you need to get a pro involved. These little contraptions make a snug fit between outlets and plugs to keep 'em where you want. Washing machine-descaling tablets that'll work on both top- and front-loading machines to erase any lingering mildew smells — whether you've had this machine for ages and want to keep it running 'til the day you die. Or you got a steal on a used machine and now you know WHY. And some dishwasher-descaling tablets to help clean the thing that cleans your dishes. It deserves a deep clean too! A box of these will cost MUCH less than a visit from the repair person to take a look. Waterproof cushion covers that'll help guard your new couch against your pups. OR cover up some unsightly stains from an otherwise-good couch you found curbside. Leather Honey conditioner will breathe new life into all kinds of tired-looking leather, like on couches, boots, purses, and more. It's nontoxic, non-oily, and will help your leather goods look and FEEL much better. Oh, and it's water-repellent! It might even have you doing double takes at those looked-over boots at the thrift. A jar of the The Pink Stuff — a TikTok-famous cleaning paste made to handle all kinds of sticky, stuck-on situations like this nasty-looking kitchen faucet. This'll seriously come in handy even if your roomie has gotten better about cleaning as of late. Sometimes you just need a new product to get halfway excited about doing chores. An expandable under-sink kit that'll fit around awkward pipes in the kitchen or bathroom while giving some sturdy ground to those bottles of cleaner and everyone's beauty products. No more cabinet avalanches! And a drawer organizer set to Lego-fit all the containers into your drawer so you can have the bathroom drawer or junk drawer of your Instagram dreams — or at least a drawer that works for your living situation. A universal remote attachment so you don't have to hunt down the TV remote and then the Fire TV remote because SOMEONE misplaced them once again. This'll help you control it all with just your Fire TV remote. A six-outlet wall charger can comfortably fit all the chargers you require. Plus! it has two USB fast-charging ports *and* a night-light. An adhesive cord organizer made specifically to stick on the back of appliances to tidy up your counters. A pack of dual-sided SneakErasers that'll do nearly everything that pair of Sambas you've been wearing for the past six months need for zhuzhing up. One side will cleans scuffs, dirt stains, and grime, and the other side whitens them. Some liquid fabric dye can give your canvas sneakers a new life. The Rit website has a TON of official tutorials! And a powder fabric dye to help update anything in your closet you're feeling a bit meh about, has faded more than you'd like, or would serve you better in a different hue. A jean button replacement kit in case the problem with your go-to pair is actually the hardware. Yes, $9 for a one-time fix can feel steep. But y'know what's steeper? Finding another pair and then paying for 'em. Oh, and there are MULTIPLE replacement buttons in this kit. Grandma's Secret, an under-the-radar solution with serious stain-removing prowess — like, cleaning pen from a white leather couch. Some bra bands that can easily add some extra space to your trusty underthing you aren't quite ready to part with. Bras are incredibly expensive, and these aren't! A puffer jacket repair kit to work around small rips and tears without having to toss a whole item of outerwear. A tie-dye kit can be a fun solution to cover up a stain that won't go away as an afternoon activity that'll make you wanna wear the piece of clothing for years to come! Psst, this might be perfect for those white T-shirts that have pit or neck stains. A waist extender that'll help you get FAR more use out of those pants you're nervous about wearing to dinner because they're right on the cusp of being hard to button up. No need to replace! Be free! Use a waist extender! And on the flip side, a set of jean button pins to save the day when you're in between sizes on jeans you love — this pin helps you tighten up a waist gap on top. And all it takes is pressing it in. That's it! A four-way cleaning brush will make big moves on those black suede (or nubuck!) boots you decided to shuffle around in the dirt while wearing last weekend. Their days are no longer numbered. A set of Stretchlace shoelaces that'll transform your lace-up sneakers into some slip-ons whether you're simply tired of lacing up your shoes or some recent mobility issues have made it harder to lace the regular cotton laces. Some bright shoelaces that come in a set of 15 colors to help brighten up some still-perfectly-fine sneakers in a way that'll get you pumped to wear them. And if you're REALLY into putting in some effort, a leather paint set will help you get creative with your leather shoes and accessories. Sometimes you just need to breathe some new life into a beloved accessory. An attachable LED light for your vacuum because you've been eyeing the Dyson with the dust-finding light after your friend said she bought it but you KNOW you don't need to get a whole new vacuum. This is under $20 AND, according to the reviewer quoted below, just might not be a good thing because you'll see even more dirt and dust that needs cleaning! A velvet slipcover will give your ragged old couch a completely new look. Plus, the slipcover comes with straps to keep it in place so you don't have to fuss with it all the time. Or perhaps you could use some washable dining chair slipcovers so you can make actual use of that dining set your aunt is offering up for free but isn't quite your style. Reviewers say they're super easy to use and work on various sized chairs. And consider a stretchy arm chair slipcover to help transform that perfectly fine (but hideous) chair you found on Facebook Marketplace for a song. Some cushion supports in case lots of work-from-home days — which you're very grateful for, btw — has aged your couch at a rapid rate. These'll help plump up your cushions and make the couch look like new(er). A snazzy couch cushion to keep your seat cushions safe from your pets, kids, and adults you also reside with — OK, from you too. It can also seriously scratch the itch for a new couch. An enamel paint safe to use on metal appliances and more (think washers, dryers, fridges, tubs, bed frames) with unsightly rust stains or scratches but still run perfectly fine. A flexible, moldable rubbery glue called Sugru that's also waterproof, heat- and cold-resistant you can use on a variety of things that need fixing. So that pricey Apple computer charger can live to see MANY more workdays. May you never know the pain of having to buy a replacement. A couch cup holder that'll even fit your Stanely cup. If your living room setup means that your coffee or side table won't fit as close to your couch as you'd like, here's an easy answer that won't require moving *or* replacing furniture. Some magnetic garage handles and faux windows that'll bring some serious curb appeal to your home for an EXTREMELY small fraction of the price of getting some carriage-style doors. They're pricey as heck. These magnets are not. Some vinyl picnic table and bench covers reviewers found extremely helpful for camping and park use, BUT will also help your OG picnic table in your yard look more presentable while protecting you from splinters.
Buzz Feed
2 days ago
- Buzz Feed
47 Hilariously Chaotic Employees
This anonymous coworker was a practical joker. As was this coworker. This coworker was literally Jim Halpert. Same with this person. And this one. This coworker offered a fair deal. This coworker played the most pointless is sometimes the funniest and most effective. This coworker did the same. I appreciate this coworker committing to the bit. Now that's a good the jokes. This coworker was a a funny jerk, so it doesn't count. This is just a Winston Bishop-level prank. This employee added a nice message for this poor broken coffeepot that had seen better days. This coworker made sure to leave a memento behind. As did this coworker. That's one way to shame messy coworkers. Seriously — just turn coworkers' annoying actions into art! This coworker just had to have the last word. This coworker had jokes — as did whoever set this up. These coworkers knew how to celebrate. Hey, at least he got to go home early! This coworker was passive aggressive — but in a funny way. If you can't read the above notice, it says:AttentionPlease reserve this printer for work-related documents only. Ink is expensive! Please print all future jobs using the black and white printer in Ron's office. Please stop by my office if you would like to print something in color. Thank you for your understanding!Did you know? A gallon of ink can cost as much as $8000.00? That's enough to buy 40 iPhone 6s. Now that's heartwarming. These coworkers were similarly supportive. This coworker was the motivational hero needed to get through the workday. This coworker had a similarly motivational message. This employee gave their coworker's Keurig a major upgrade. Now that's what I call malicious compliance. This coworker sent a subtle yet effective message. I just know there's a loooong history here to make this necessary. This coworker took their stolen food in good humor. This person took drastic measures to save a coworker's orchid at any cost. This coworker wrote a very effective two weeks notice. Another departing employee, another great cake to celebrate them. If HR comes calling, say they printed it themself. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ This coworker was just the *tiniest* bit evil. This coworker knew just how to make their office feel welcoming. Hmmm, I wonder what it is? This coworker decided the office art could use an upgrade. This employee just wanted to make sure no one got suspicious — which was not appreciated by a passing lawyer. This coworker played a cruel joke. This coworker made do with what they had. This employee proved potty humor does, actually, have a place in the workplace, HR be damned. This coworker just wanted to feel included. This employee made sure to brighten their coworkers' days. This employee had WordArt on their company computer, and gosh darnit, they were going to use it. And finally, this *might* get HR called on you, but it's pretty hilarious.
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Yahoo
Need a 'free dad hug' or 'free mom hug'? These parents are giving them out at Pride.
It all started with a homemade button with 'Free Mom Hugs' written on it in black Sharpie. Sara Cunningham, a mom of two from Oklahoma, wore it to a Pride festival in 2015, offering hugs to anyone who needed one. 'With anyone who made eye contact with me, I would say, 'Could I offer you a hug or a high five?''she tells Yahoo Life. 'The first girl I offered a hug to said it's been four years since she had a hug from her mother because she's a lesbian,' Cunnignham says. That ignited a spark in her to do more, leading her to found the nonprofit Free Mom Hugs. What started as just a few moms in Oklahoma City has turned into a national movement with more than 40,000 registered volunteers. Cunningham didn't start out as a fierce advocate, however. When her son came out to her years ago, she felt devastated and alone, something she wrote about in her book, How We Sleep at Night: A Mother's Memoir. 'I thought I was the only mother in the world, or at least Oklahoma anyway, with a gay kid,' she says. Cunningham wrestled with her conservative Christian faith and admits she didn't treat her son well, 'believing that [he] was condemned for eternity and that if I accepted him or even tolerated him, that made me a sinner too,' she says. 'I was frozen in that fear.' Over time, Cunningham educated herself and met other moms like her. 'It was a journey from the church to the Pride parade without losing my faith or my son,' she says. When her son invited her to join him at a Pride parade in 2014, she met his 'beautiful community' and saw how happy he was. It became a pivotal moment in Cunningham's life, and there was no going back after that. 'I know the power of fear and ignorance, and I know the power of love and education,' she says. Cunningham chose love. When Free Mom Hugs members like Cunningham give hugs, they also share words of encouragement. 'That is, in church words, 'the fruit of the spirit,'' she says. 'It's empowering and it's life-giving just by saying, 'I love you. I'm so glad you're here and you belong.'' Cunningham is one of thousands of moms and dads who show up at Pride celebrations across the country, ready to embrace anyone who needs it. Here, four others describe what giving out these hugs means to them — and why they matter. For as far back as he can remember, Sean Leacy has wanted to be a dad. The father of four, who lives in Washington with his wife, also organizes events for the Tacoma Dads Group, which has grown to 1,200 members. When the group decided to give out free dad hugs at the Tacoma Pride Festival a few years ago, 'we had a bit of pushback from people in the community that did not agree with that idea,' he tells Yahoo Life. The group lost some members, but at the same time 'we've gained in dads who believe in equal human rights for just people, regardless of their orientation.' Leacy cares about showing up as a parent, and giving hugs and high-fives at Pride is one way of doing that. 'If these parents are not going to be parents, if they're not going to step up and they're going to give in to their own selfishness and bigotry, then we'll be there.' That support is making a difference. Last year, his dads group got a booth at the entrance of the Pride festival. 'So you could not walk in without walking past us,' he says. 'We weren't pushy about it, but we wanted to make sure that everyone understood that we're here to give a hug.' And given their location, they gave a lot of them. A police officer stationed at the event came up to the group later on and said, 'I don't know if you really fully understand [the impact] because when people are walking away from you guys and walking toward us, they are just bawling. I'm touched by the impact this is making.' Leacy adds: 'That was a big deal for us.' Leacy acknowledges that with free dad hugs, fathers like him are 'stepping into a space that has been held very much so by mothers, and dads have not been out there doing it. I think that it's more expected for free mom hugs to be there. It's less expected that dads will be involved. I think that's probably where a lot of the impact is coming from — the idea that there is just a bunch of big, huggable guys that are literally just looking to give out a hug.' Five years ago, Erin Gambino-Russo, a Long Island mom of three, was watching a documentary about the LGBTQ community. She can't recall the name, but it left her feeling like she needed to act. 'I can't just sit here and feel sorry for people,' she recalls thinking. 'I need to do something.' An online search led her to Free Mom Hugs. 'I did not know that it was an organization,' she tells Yahoo Life. 'I thought it was just a shirt that people wore.' Gambino-Russo joined her local Free Mom Hugs chapter, eventually becoming the co-leader with Lisa Schlossberg (their chapter was even chosen to be grand marshals at Long Island Pride last Sunday). 'I tell people all the time that next to being a mom of three amazing kids, this is the thing I'm most proud of in my life,' Gambino-Russo says. Of all the hugs she has given, one stands out: 'I gave a hug to a 70-year-old trans woman who hadn't had contact with her mother since she came out 30 years prior,' she says. 'She wasn't even permitted to go to her mother's funeral service. This woman hugged me as if I were her mom. She needed a mom hug. She was old enough to be my parent, but it wasn't about that. It was about the love of a mom and the acceptance.' Gambino-Russo's husband joined her at Long Island Pride last year to give out dad hugs. 'He gave a lot of hugs because a lot of kids need the dad hug,' she says, adding that there was one person at Pride who hugged her husband and had a hard time letting go. 'They kept whispering apologies to him. I'm so sorry, but I just really need this. It was emotional.' While the hugs certainly feel good, Gambino-Russo says that's not the main point for her. She keeps showing up because of the statistic that LGBTQ youth who report having at least one accepting adult are 40% less likely to report a suicide attempt in the past year. 'To me, what's important is for every human to know that they're loved and beautiful and perfect the way they are,' she says. Lillian Godone-Maresca, a mom of eight who lives in Rhode Island, says that supporting the gay community aligns with how her parents raised her — and even her Catholic faith. While that might seem surprising given the church's stance on LGBTQ issues, Godone-Maresca says that her teachings were about seeing Jesus 'in the homeless, the hungry, the persecuted, the oppressed, the sick. So that's what moves me to do it.' Godone-Maresca, whose doormat by her front door bears the slogan, 'Hate has no home here,' tells Yahoo Life that her parents and grandparents were 'ahead of their time in matters of equality and social justice. We embrace everyone.' She adds, 'I grew up having been taught about kindness.' That inspired her to show up at her local Pride parade last year to give out hugs, wearing a 'Free Mom Hugs' T-shirt while holding up a handwritten sign that reads: 'I'm here because I'm a Catholic, but you don't need to be a Catholic to get a mom's hug.' 'I got interested in this mom hugs idea because I find it so regrettable that some parents may disown their own children, may not support them and may turn their back on them,' Godone-Maresca says. 'It's unthinkable that someone may not accept their own children.' She recalls a memorable moment at Pride when a young man in his early 20s came up to her for a hug. 'He gave me such a long hug,' she says. 'He really needed it.' Godone-Maresca says she's already signed up to attend two more Pride celebrations this year. 'You feel that you're doing something meaningful,' she says. During Pride month three years ago, Jackie Kaldon Burton watched the documentary Mama Bears, which follows conservative Christian moms whose lives change when they accept and advocate for their LGBTQ children. The film features the Mama Bears organization, founded by Liz Dyer, which supports LGBTQ families and even stands in for absent parents at weddings and other celebrations. 'I cried through the whole thing,' Burton, who has a gay son, tells Yahoo Life. 'I was so taken by this.' That same year, she and her best friend, Christine Dammann, marched with PFLAG, an organization for LGBTQ families and friends. As they walked, Burton says young people kept approaching them with hugs, thanking them for being supportive parents. 'It was so incredibly powerful and wonderful but also sad,' she says. 'Every time one of them would walk away, Christine and I would look at one another and be like, I can't fathom not embracing your child.' This past weekend, Burton's small town of Pleasantville, N.Y, held its first-ever Pride celebration. After reaching out to the founder of Mama Bears, Burton and her best friend set up a table at Pride to share information about the organization with others. 'I think the only way to make change is literally person by person,' she says. Burton acknowledges that as a stranger she can't make up for the acceptance and love of an actual parent. 'But if it helps bridge the gap just a little bit, then that's all that matters.'
