As you know, I am not just a Photographer, but more importantly ..a DAD. ChangingOptics.org was inspired by my being a new dad. My son Chase, who will be 3 in September, recently started attending daycare again now that we are in phase 2 of the re-opening of New Jersey businesses. He attends Little Promises Academy in Succasunna, NJ and I thought the painting rocks for #kindnessforchristopher would be a great activity for him and the children at his daycare to take part in. What is #kindnessforchristopher?

June 24, 2020 marks the 5 year anniversary of the loss of Chris D’Amico Jr who lost his young life at just 10 years old in a boating accident off Lake Hopatcong. His father is someone well-known in the DJ/MC field here in New Jersey for D’Amico Entertainment. I have known Chris D’Amico since 2001 when working with The Nerds and the local cover band scene when Chris was performing in a band called Chakra.

In the past 5 years, the loss of Chris Jr. has inspired Christopher’s Law which can be found here: https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2014/Bills/S3500/3233_I1.HTM which we implore all of you reading to be aware of if you venture out on the lake in a Pontoon boat rental.

#kindnessforchristopher was started to push for the law by the D’Amico family and has since become a national movement that involves painted rocks being left in various places with hopeful messages to be kind. These rocks have been found at police stations, fire stations, restaurants, hospitals and more. They have been seen in local NJ to overseas places like Afghanistan and even along the Great Wall of China. #kindnessforchristopher asks people to be more kind to each other especially on the 24th of each month.

With ChangingOptics.org focused on Photography aspects within the community, we hope visitors to this page not only learn to be more kind, but to see the kindness in others. We challenge you to #photographkindness and we will share it here, and on our feed to continue spreading #kindnessforchristopher.

Scooter