Children’s content creator and YouTuber Ms. Rachel donated $3,000 to a GoFundMe for a young boy whose family’s experience at a Connecticut Library sparked a lot of attention on social media.
The fundraiser, titled “Help Micah’s Son Make a Joyful Memory,” was created by Micah Whitaker after a video showing his 16-month-old son trying to interact with a green puppet at a children’s event in Darien went viral on TikTok.
As of Thursday, the video has more than 6 million views, 1 million likes, and has sparked much debate online.
The GoFundMe lists a $3,000 donation from Rachel Acurso, the popular children’s entertainer known as Ms. Rachel. It is listed as the fundraiser’s top donation.
The family said the boy repeatedly tried to interact with the puppet, which was being operated by a library employee, but appeared to be ignored. The family believes the child was treated differently because of the color of his skin, according to the GoFundMe page.
The parents said they were particularly troubled by a moment when the employee appeared to put the puppet away, prompting the family to leave. They said the employee then brought the puppet back out as they walked away.
The family told NBC Connecticut that Darien Library apologized and scheduled a phone call with them last week to discuss what happened.
In a statement, the library said it was taking the family’s concerns “incredibly seriously” and reviewing the incident. The library also said it remained committed to providing a welcoming and inclusive space for all families.
According to the GoFundMe, Whitaker hopes to turn the experience into a positive memory by raising money to take his son and family to Disney World.
“More than anything, Micah wants this little boy to be surrounded by love and reminded that one hurtful experience does not define who he is or what the world can hold for him,” the fundraiser reads.
The fundraiser has raised more than $4,000 toward its $6,000 goal.
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