Cameron Boyce‘s family has launched a charitable foundation to honor the actor after hissudden and tragic deathat the age of 20 earlier this month.
Titled theCameron Boyce Foundation, the charity’s aim is to provide “young people artistic and creative outlets as alternatives to violence and negativity and uses resources and philanthropy for positive change in the world.”
Boyce died suddenly on July 6 after suffering a seizure in his sleep due toepilepsy.
Boyce’s family, costars and fans have been remembering the young actor as a budding humanitarian and champion for those less fortunate.
“There’s a long line of difference makers in my family. I’m following in the footsteps of some really strong men and women who have shown me what it means to give back; it’s the greatest way to fulfill yourself,” Boyce said in hisfinal interviewwithHaute Livingin May.
Cameron Boyce.Mary Clavering/Young Hollywood/Getty Images)
“Every time I talk to someone who shares that similar passion, we talk about how there aren’t many feelings more euphoric. Changing someone else’s life positively changes yours for the better as well,” he said.
In the weeks leading up to his death, Boyce was working on a social media campaign to help fight against gun violence, which will now be launched posthumously.
“I’ve named the conceptWielding Peace. It will be a collection of images that feature people from all walks of life (celebrities, victims of gun violence, common supporters) wielding ‘guns.’ The catch is, the ‘guns’ that we’re using as props will be items that signify unity and peace,” Boyce wrote about the campaign, which his rep provided to PEOPLE.
“Household items such as musical instruments, cameras, food, sporting equipment, beauty products, articles of clothing… anything that might inspire someone creatively as well as make a strong statement with the sentiment that we need to choose a different weapon,” he added.
Boyce was alsoinvolved in the non-profit Thirst Project, an organization that raises awareness about the global water crisis. The group honored him with the Pioneering Spirit Award in 2018 after he raised $30,000 for two wells in Swaziland, according toGood Morning America.
“What you leave should be bigger than you,” he said in his acceptance of the award — the line is also used in the Cameron Boyce Foundation’s website.
“We need to use what we have, and to make the world a better place for other people,” he said. “Other people. People who need us. I hope that you guys really think about tonight, and leave something that is bigger than yourselves.”
Ben Cope
“He was the very definition of human kindness, and a light that will forever shine as his spirit lives on in all who knew and loved him. He was the rock of our family and he always had a positive, heartwarming, insightful and caring outlook on everything and everyone,” they continued. “The pain we have endured and are continuing to endure is indescribable, but we are making every effort to move forward and ensure that Cameron’s legacy and all that he stood for is honored.”
“He was and is, so cherished and we will hold him in our hearts forever. He is our shooting star,” they added.
source: people.com
