John MacDonald and the All for One Project

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound global impact on humanity, specifically in schools and the workforce. The vast majority of the world’s students have transitioned to remote learning, isolated at home from their peers and teachers, and about sixty-six percent of all of the employees in the United States alone have been laid off. Sheltering in place has driven many people stir-crazy, as they are confined to their homes and only able to travel to places that are essential like grocery stores. The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a toll on everyone’s mental health, but luckily, The All For One Project has made it their mission to boost society’s morale.​

John MacDonald, a sophomore in high school, is the leading force behind this organization. When asked what inspired him to start his organization, he responded, “I noticed that many people around me, including myself, were very anxious or stressed because of isolation. During these unprecedented times, I wanted to make sure everyone in my community had a guide of some sort to ensure they are mentally well.” 
 
MacDonald spreads positivity through activities that have been scientifically proven to reduce stress and boost a person’s mood. The All For One Project distributes resources such as physical activities a person can do, meditation routines, jokes, and artwork. He says, “Everyone can support our organization by bringing awareness to mental health and well-being. They can share our mission and even apply to be an ambassador.” MacDonald explains, “No one person has one hundred percent of the solution. But even if one hundred people have one percent, we can make a difference.” Even if on a seemingly small scale, he is adamant about spreading uplifting messages in these trying times.
 
In the future, he is determined to continue spreading positivity and promoting mental wellness: “Although Covid-19 and quarantine won’t last forever, people still get stressed due to many different factors. I hope our organization can grow and live past this pandemic and continue to help people in our community and maybe even more.” Even though MacDonald was originally inspired by the 2020 pandemic, mental health has always been important to him. Thus, he plans on continuing to help others cope with their anxiety.
 
When he is not busy with school or running The All For One Project, McDonald spends his time playing his guitar and binge-watching Netflix shows.