The Activist for Activists. Author of Make a Difference with Mental Health Activism and The Happy Activist: Journey the 5-Step Activism Path to Focus Your Passion and Change the World. Teacher, Psychologist, Environmental Activist, Animal Lover.
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Last Updated on February 27, 2025
People who focus on their passion tend to find the perfect choice of activism. For example, artist Peter von Tiesenhausen used his artistry and creativity to stop a pipeline.
Many people use their art for activism. As an example, puzzle creator Evan Birnholz wanted to use his skills to support activism. As the pandemic changed the way we live, he found an innovative approach to use his craft to raise funds for COVID-19 charities.
Birnholz tapped the puzzle community to put together a puzzle book for those who supported the cause financially. The community responded with support, and together they created Grids for Good. Because of Black Lives Matter protests, the group agreed to add social justice organizations such as the NAACP to the recommended charities.
I love puzzles, and it makes me feel good to support a cause at the same time I exercise my brain.
“Everyone involved in this project approached it with a love of puzzles that we hope you’ll see reflected throughout the collection. Most importantly, we hope that Grids for Good can brighten your day just a little bit and provide you with some laughs, some pleasure, and some comfort during an increasingly turbulent period of our lives.” -Evan Birnholz
How neat that Evan and the other puzzle creators support worthy causes by doing something they love.
Other Puzzle Books That Support Causes
In the past, the puzzle community has responded with several editions supporting their causes.
Francis Heaney tapped the community’s skills, and together they created Puzzles for Progress after the 2016 presidential election. His purchasers donated to organizations such as the ACLU, Earth Justice, and the Southern Poverty Law Center.
To support LBGTQ+ charities, LGBTQ+ constructors collaborated on Queer Qrosswords and Queer Qrosswords 2.
“In 2018, Queer Qrosswords raised nearly $25,000 for LGBTQ+ charities with its debut pack of wonderfully queer puzzles!”
Finally, a group of female constructors issued Women of Letters to support organizations such as Girls, Inc., and Moms Demand Action.
Find Your Activism Passion
Resources for finding your passion and matching that to your strengths are available in The Happy Activist (formerly What’s On Your Sign?)
The companion book, The 5-Step Activism Path Workbook, has worksheets, exercises, and reflections to help you get clear about your passion.
Browse more examples of artistic activism.
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What fascinating information! I did not know about these kinds of puzzles and I would never have imagined such a thing! Thank you for bringing this to my attention. Terrific article.
Trish, I love to hear about people who use their gifts to make change. This is an interesting one!
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