Hello friends and family!

That's me in the photo--I'm at the annual GRuB Carnival as Madame Sabine, the fortune teller who is bringing some playful magic. And speaking of GRuB and Magic, I hear those two words so often together when people talk about their experience with this evolving organization called GRuB. In my 6 years with this organization, I am amazed at how people grow personally while engaging in meaningful social change. I love how GRuB involves people who often feel invisible, alone or undervalued and helps them to be seen. GRuB magically weaves them together into a strong fabric made of different ages, identities and backgrounds. They come together to share in growing food and community, all with vision, heart and hard work.

Often these are people looking to belong to something significant. And as they step through GRuB’s door, each person is seen as powerful, unique even before they grow or put skills into our projects.  GRuB offers many people a sense of peace, self-reliance and personal awareness of who they each are and what they bring to the table. What a crucial need in our shifting times!   Folks take ownership of whatever they do here, whether it’s pulling weeds with vigor, collecting eggs from the chickens or learning how to work as a team and hold each other accountable. Youth, gardeners, volunteers and veterans alike come to understand that they really do have skills and ideas that are valuable to the world, that their own wild dreams and unique opinions do matter. That work can be fun and learning is always happening at any age. Whether checking out the science in the compost lab, making healthy food in the kitchen, thinking big during strategic planning, or learning how to accept the appreciation of the community for a job well done, that it's important to celebrate even the little milestones.

 "I really love the GRuB focus and support of youth and the workshops...[they] get down to the nitty gritty on how to move toward more positive and meaningful directions in our lives.  The wonderful ‘value’ of GRuB is that the organization goes beyond the workshops in its mentoring and teaching and counseling of youth.  It helps them build themselves up from the inside out."    

--2015-16 GRuB adult training participant

Another volunteer said, "I love GRuB –it’s my community organization."

As someone in circles both near and far, would you consider how GRuB can be your community organization too? What would help bring even more of the magic to people who are looking for connection? Would you consider making a donation to grow GRuB's work for 2017? Our total goal is $50,000 and we have $30,000 left to go! Any amount will help from $5 to $500 or make it simple and make your gift monthly.

Donate before January 1st and you'll get the tax benefit, too. And you'll also help me bust past my co-workers and win the friendly fundraising challenge we have going in the office! I'm in second place so far!!!

Many, many thanks and blessings for a bountiful New Year!

Kerensa

GRuB's Cultivating Community & Leaders Manager

GRuB is reaching out to our wonderful community to help us meet our annual fundraising goal of $50,000 by December 31st. Please read our story and help us grow the GRuB hive this season. Bee kind, bee supportive and bee generous!  Your donations to GRuB are tax deductible!