The "We All Do Better" Collection

Why "We All Do Better" is More Than a Quote to Us

In Minnesota, the words of the late Senator Paul Wellstone are more than just a political slogan. They are a way of life. You see them on bumper stickers, in community centers, and now, on the gear in our shop: "We all do better when we all do better."

A Legacy of "We"

For our family, this isn't just a philosophy we admire—it’s a core value we’ve lived every day since childhood. Growing up, my mom made sure we understood that our lives were woven into the lives of those around us; that we are only as strong as the community we help build. While that’s always been our foundation, we’ve seen even more undeniable proof of it since her medical journey began. In our hardest moments, the "we" stepped in, showing us that when things get heavy, we don't have to carry the bucket alone.

Looking back, the signs of this "Wellstone spirit" were everywhere in our house. I remember:

• The Saturday Tradition: Once a month, like clockwork, we would spend our Saturday mornings bagging and distributing groceries. From the early days of the "Fare Share" program in the 1990s right up until the pandemic started with Ruby's Pantry, my mom taught us that no one should ever have to worry about their next meal if their neighbor has enough to share.
• The Angel Tree Choice: Every Winter, mom gave us a choice that defined our Christmas. We didn’t have much money, so we could either receive one or two gifts for ourselves, or we could head to the bank or Grand Casino Hinckley and take names off the Angel Trees. We almost always chose the trees, learning early on that the greatest "bucket list" item you can check off is the one that brings joy to others who are struggling. 

She raised us to be "helpers," and now, through The Bucket List Helper store, we are simply trying to be for her what she has always been for everyone else.

The Power of Interdependence

Paul Wellstone was known as the "Conscience of the Senate," a leader who believed that politics was about improving people's lives and lessening human suffering. He fought for mental health parity, veteran services, and healthcare reform because he knew that when one of us is left behind, the whole community is weakened. 

When we were faced with the overwhelming weight of medical bills and the daunting task of checking off my mom’s bucket list, it was the "we" that stepped in. Friends, neighbors, and even strangers became the "better" that helped us do better.

A Graphic for the Modern Movement

This collection features a unique AI-generated graphic I created this past February. It’s a modern reimagining of Wellstone's 1999 message to the Sheet Metal Workers Union. It represents the "network of mutuality" that Martin Luther King Jr. spoke of—and that Paul lived every day. 

How Your Purchase Helps

Every time you buy a Backpack, T-shirt, or Journal from this collection, you are participating in this legacy. 

• Funding the Fight: 100% of the proceeds go toward my mom’s medical expenses and fulfilling the "check-offs" on her bucket list.
• Spreading the Message: You’re carrying a reminder to everyone you meet that we are stronger together.

Paul Wellstone often said, "Politics is what we create by what we do, what we hope for, and what we dare to imagine". Today, we imagine a world where my mom finishes her list with a community at her back. 

Thank you for being part of our "we."