Tobacco Dock London’s Post

There is a story of countless starfish being washed up on the beach. A little girl walked along the beach, picking up starfish and throwing them back into the water.  An older man saw this girl, approached her, and asked her what she was doing.  The girl said she was throwing the starfish back in the water because they would die if they remained on the beach.  The man responded that so many starfish were on the beach, and she could only throw back a minuscule number of them.  He then said this number is so tiny; what difference would it make?  After hearing his question, the girl picked up a starfish and threw it back into the water.  Then she told the man, “I made a difference for that one.” The little girl's actions, though seemingly small, had a ripple effect.  When we all use our unique skills, talents, and abilities to make a difference, society as a whole is the beneficiary. Each action, no matter how small, can create a wave of change that reaches far beyond our immediate surroundings. Charles Drew's story is a shining example of how one person's abilities can revolutionize an entire field. His invention of the blood storage system has saved countless lives and continues to do so. Let his story inspire us to use our own abilities for the betterment of society.  #MakeADifference #RippleEffect #ActsOfKindness #SmallActionsBigImpact #Inspiration #ChangeMakers #UseYourSkills #PositiveImpact #CharlesDrew #SavingLives #BetterTogether #Empowerment #EveryActionCounts #CommunityImpact #InspiringChange https://lnkd.in/gmM95Dsx

🥗 Advocacy in Action: School Meals for All in NJ 🍎 In the latest edition of The Garden Plate, Sal Valenza highlights NJSNA's ongoing efforts to push for School Meals for All in New Jersey. Over the past two years, NJSNA has teamed up with food banks, anti-hunger advocates, and school leaders to create policies and legislation aimed at increasing access to nutritious, no-cost meals for students. Key advocacy efforts include: • Forming a coalition to work with state officials on School Meals for All. • Securing funding and addressing policy barriers to improve school nutrition programs. • Raising awareness about the importance of school meals in combating food insecurity. NJSNA continues to drive the conversation around expanding access to healthy meals for all students. 📖 Read more in The Garden Plate: https://lnkd.in/eWCMa5Yf

Urban Gardening ~ creatively using our environments to grow fresh produce, encourage an active lifestyle, meet others, and reduce the pull on our international food market. While we're entering into the harvest season, I'd encourage you to check out The Gardens Network by Rooted. This is an organization who's mission is to "work toward an equitable food system by ensuring access to garden space and healthy food, and by educating beginning farmers and gardeners of all ages." Maybe this upcoming year is the time for you to learn the basics of gardening, jump back into a long-neglected pastime, or share your own horticulture expertise with someone just starting out! https://lnkd.in/gmaWGznp

Finsen Yu and his family are transforming lives through their community garden in Montgomery, Alabama. Their foundation, named Help a Brother Out, provides residents access to free, fresh foods and a place to learn about self-sufficiency and self-growth. Aside from getting produce, people can also take classes in gardening, meditation and financial literacy. “We try to help the community help itself by instilling values and developing future leaders,” Finsen said. Finsen and his family recently received support from the Red Cross through its Community Adaptation Program to help the foundation expand its efforts and be more resilient against the climate crisis. With the provided funding, they purchased a new greenhouse, storage shed, four-wheeler, and other equipment to broaden the garden’s reach. Through this partnership, the Yu family's foundation can help more families access nutritious food and continue serving the community in the face of disasters. “The community knows that we’re here and that the Red Cross is behind us,” Finsen said. “Knowing that, they come to us because they know the Red Cross can help.”

This message is for my grassroots community builders. It’s hard to believe that we are preparing for the beginning of the holiday season. I encourage you to plant seeds everyday in your community. There are several unique metaphorical seasons when building community. 1) Planting the seeds - Each day in your community, you are planting seeds for opportunities. When you plant a seed in soil, there may not be any visible agrowth for several weeks, but eventually you see a nice breakthrough from the soil. The key is to keep planting multiple seeds. 2) Nuturing the blooms - As your seeds begin to blossom, you can’t neglect them. It’s critical to continue to water the plant so that the plant can have the most beneficial environment for growth. When building community, you must nurture your people and not give up at the first sign of adversity. 3) Celebrating the harvest - You have been watering this plant, putting it in the sun, and nuturing it for a long time. Out of no where after months of hard work, the plant begins to grow in all directions. You are amazed that your hard work has paid off. Enjoy this season, as it is easy to believe that this season will last forever. 4) Expressing gratitude for the pruning and drought season - You are enjoying all the success until it’s time to prune the plant so that it can grow bigger and expand its territory. This is one of the most difficult seasons for community builders and organizers as it includes pruning people. You must be comfortable knowing that everyone will not be able to go with you to the next level. Recognize where you are in the community building cycle and appreciate each phase. I can tell you that each phase is necessary as you build community at the grassroots level to make a significant impact. #seasons #harvest #bloom #seeds #prune #community #strategy #purposedriven #bettyricelegacy

Pembroke Pines: It's not just a place, it's a community where life's moments are celebrated. Here's what makes life here so special: 📌 Community Events: From the vibrant Artfest in the Pines to spirited high school football games, there's always something that brings us together. 🌴 Green Spaces: Enjoy tranquility and nature at Chapel Trail Nature Preserve or take part in family fun at Pembroke Shores Park. ☕ Local Love: That small-town feel with a smile from your favorite barista or a neighbor waving hello. Local farmers' markets where you know vendors by name. 📖 Education: Committed to the future with top-tier schools nurturing our youngest residents into tomorrow's leaders. 🏪 Convenience and Lifestyle: Everything you need is right here, from shopping at Pembroke Lakes Mall to dining at local gems. Plus, easy access to major roads keeps the rest of South Florida within reach. 💚 Community Spirit: A place where the sense of togetherness is palpable, and neighbors become lifelong friends. If Pembroke Pines sounds like the community you’ve been searching for, let’s find you a home here. We're not just about real estate; we're about welcoming you into our family. #PembrokePinesLiving #theniceagent #realestate #pembrokepines #pembrokepineshome #pembrokepinesFL #florida #realtor #floridaproperties #success #dreamhome

How to start a neighborhood garden

How to start a neighborhood garden

If you're wondering where to cut your own tree, it's an easy choice. The Northeast has tons of Christmas tree farms, where all sorts of conifers are grown and prepped to be the centerpiece of someone's holiday. Even if it’s not an annual tradition, it’s definitely worth doing at least once for the fun of it. Discover 10 cut-your-own Christmas tree farms in the Northeast. #AAAEmployee

Many people are quick to dismiss the benefits of lean, offering countless reasons why it’s not for them. Click the video to hear Jeremy Deppe’s insightful perspective on overcoming skepticism.