Park District of Franklin Park’s Post

The Small Acts of Community campaign kicks off today. Focused on the belief that small acts of community have great worth - this is something I’m super proud to be a part of. One of the lines of the student oath for taekwondo has always been my favorite “I shall build a more peaceful world.” I have always believed that world starts with the small things and those build up, add up, and inspire others. It was the premise behind my only large scale solo art show (featured about 4000 origami cranes). Today, as part of my professional work, and in joyous activism, we will be asking people to commit acts of community. Could be an act of kindness - say hello, hold a door open. Could be a larger act of community - help pick up some trash, help your neighbor out, volunteer your time with an organization near and dear to your heart. Things that are free and don’t cost a thing. Got some spare money - donate it to a good cause. Before you say but I don’t have any money - as part of the smaller events leading up to today, I was handed $1.23 from the pocket of an obviously unhoused man after taking with him about the campaign and we were told to put it to the community. Think you can’t make a difference? Think again. Check out the Small Acts campaign online at https://lnkd.in/er7jD6GF. Sign it, live it, and start making a difference today!

Imagine this: It’s the week before Thanksgiving. The chill in the air signals the start of the holiday season, but instead of excitement, you feel a growing worry. Your pantry is nearly empty, and you’re not sure how you’ll provide the next meal for your family, let alone a festive holiday dinner. As the days pass, the anxiety grows 💔 But then, something extraordinary happens. You hear a knock at your door. To your surprise, you find a box filled with everything you need for a Thanksgiving feast at your doorstep. There’s a frozen turkey, boxes of stuffing, mashed potatoes, and all the fixings for a classic Thanksgiving dinner. Your worries melt away, replaced by relief, joy, and gratitude 🥲🙏🏻 You gather your family around the table, and for the first time in a long while, you share a hearty, joyful meal together. The room fills with laughter, stories, and the warmth that only comes from the simple act of breaking bread together. This isn’t just food; it’s hope, love, and a sense of belonging. ➡️ THIS is the reality that Thanksgiving Heroes creates for families in our community every year. And with your generosity, it’s a reality we can make possible for so many more. Do you want to be a HERO this year? Head over to https://lnkd.in/gcyjB_ft or contact me directly to donate and sponsor families in need this year! #communityengagement #hunger #cleveland #ohio

Every Hotel Needs These Hangers! We travel for holiday or work and end up buying souvenirs, gifts for family members, or even items for self use. And sometimes, we end up with too many things to pack in our bags. The problem: excess baggage!   WMcCann worked with The Salvation Army to turn this challenge into a donation opportunity.   To enable people to donate their extra clothes that they may not need, WMcCann has given the traditional donation box a new-age makeover in a campaign gone live in São Paulo for the The Salvation Army. The Salvation Hanger initiative invites Sheraton Hotels & Resorts guests to hang excess clothing items on hangers as a donation to those who may need them the most. Beginning April, the initiative will place hangers with QR codes in the rooms of the participating hotels. On scanning, guests are taken to a site where they can read about the donation initiative and are invited to hang their excess clothes as a donation for the needy.   Simple, effective and brilliant!! https://lnkd.in/dVb39GGT #dogood #sustainability #recycle #marketing #campaigns #CSR  

The past 21 weeks have been an exciting blend of stepping out in faith and navigating a steep learning curve. It’s been a great joy to work alongside Scott J. Muchow in co-founding Libre Retreats. Taking on the role of Executive Director on August 1 was both an answer to prayer and a leap of faith. It’s given me the chance to extend to others the same comfort God gave me during my own burnout, after 21 years of pastoral ministry. (2 Corinthians 1:3-4) I would’ve never imagined the kind of growth we’ve experienced in just 21 weeks. Our Pastor Collective has grown by 850%, and our Respite Property Portfolio has increased by an astonishing 3,400%. These numbers confirm that our redemptive response to the pastoral crisis is desperately needed and deeply appreciated. If you’re looking to support a redemptive startup making a real impact, consider joining us. We don’t have a massive network of patrons yet, and all our growth so far has happened through word of mouth. Your support—prayer, partnership, or financial—would mean the world to us. https://bit.ly/libre_give

For more than a week, like so many of you, I’ve been checking on friends and family, watching the devastation of the LA wildfires unfold. It’s been a whirlwind of emotions—concern, anger, helplessness—but also moments of reflection and gratitude for the resilience and compassion of communities coming together. A friend and former colleague, Emily Kane Miller, whose passion for social impact always shines and inspires me, shared a heartfelt post after losing her home in the #PalisadesFire. Her words moved me deeply—not just for their vulnerability, but for their unwavering focus on hope and action. Her post is a testament to the power of collective love and the vital role of community institutions in times of crisis. This tragedy highlights the vast inequities disasters like these can amplify. Thousands have lost their livelihoods, homes, and stability. Communities of color, particularly Latino neighborhoods and long-standing Black communities in areas like Altadena, face unique and compounded challenges. These include higher exposure to air pollution, systemic barriers like limited access to health insurance, and gaps in emergency preparedness. Research from UCLA estimates that as many as 35,000 jobs could be permanently lost in LA County, many held by Latino workers in industries like gardening and housekeeping. Undocumented immigrants, who are ineligible for federal disaster aid, face an especially grim outlook. For Black families who planted generational roots in neighborhoods once accessible during the redlining era, the fires have scorched both homes and businesses, leaving them fearful of losing their hard-won progress and history. My heart is with everyone impacted by these fires. For those of us watching, Emily’s post reminds us to “look for the helpers,” and it also compels us to reflect: How do we amplify their impact? How do we ensure that help reaches everyone equitably, so that no community is left behind in recovery and rebuilding? This moment calls for not just compassion but also action—collaborating with organizations and individuals who are already at the heart of these efforts, and making sure resources are available and distributed to those who need us in this moment. #PalisadesFire #EatonFire #CommunityStrength #Resilience #EquityInRecovery #HopeAndHealing #Disaster #SocialImpact #PublicHealth #Disparities

The secrets of successful regifting 👇 Don't leave unwanted Christmas presents to gather dust - regift them instead. Here's how. 🎁 Don't feel guilty - 89% of us have regifted a present before. The most common reasons are convenience, that it's good for the environment, and because it saves money. 🎁 Who might really love it? - Don't try to dump your unwanted gift on just anyone. If you wouldn't have bought it as a gift in the first place, don't regift it. A good tip is to regift to different social circles. 🎁 Get ahead with regifting in 2025 - store each gift away carefully until it's ready to be regifted. Avoid the sheer horror of regifting to the original giver (or their family or friends) by attaching a label saying who gave you it in the first place. Let us know if you have any other regifting tips. https://buff.ly/4fFssRN #regifting #regift #Christmaspresent #Christmasgift

The biggest learning we've had from our research into barriers to volunteering for people with lived experience of mental health is the need for safety. Many people are coming to volunteering through social prescribing and other referral routes with past negative experiences of support through their volunteering or paid work. Tools like the #BigHelpOut are a great chance for people to peek through the window of a charity and see what's it's like without committing. How do you help people peek through the windows of your charity? #VolunteerManagers #MentalHealthAwareness #MentalHealth #Volunteering Vision for Volunteering

On the day I do my final run through for the wellbeing & volunteering session I am co-delivering for the Getting Ahead with Volunteering cohort with the The Open University I see this thought provoking article from Jess. It’s a great question to pose to volunteer involving organisations - how are we allowing prospective volunteers to peak through our windows? #volunteer #volunteering #whatcanIdo #whatwillthatlooklike #howdoesthatfeel #willthatworkforme

Ever Wondered How Santa Creates More Than Just Christmas Cheer? It's All About Social Value! Every Christmas, Santa delivers more than presents—he brings communities together, spreads joy, and makes people feel valued. But how does he achieve such lasting impact? Turns out, it's all about embedding social value into everything he does. If BWB were advising Santa, we'd start by maximising the ripple effects of his festive operations. Imagine his workshop not just as a toy factory, but as a skills hub where elves receive training in carpentry, logistics, and sustainable production techniques. These skills wouldn't just create better toys—they'd empower elves to thrive year-round. And what about the communities he visits? By partnering with local charities and suppliers, Santa could ensure that every town on his route benefits from his stopovers. From supporting small businesses with gift orders to creating shared spaces where people come together to celebrate, the magic of Christmas could extend far beyond the presents under the tree. At BWB, we are passionate about social value, whether it's creating opportunities for employment, improving community spaces, or building partnerships that last. Because just like Santa, we believe that the greatest gifts are the ones that bring people closer together. #SocialValue #12WorkDaysOfChristmas 🎅❤️

#APTipTuesday – Is rain in the forecast for your outdoor event? Are you prepared with Plan B? As part of your planning for weather contingencies, it’s important to have clarity on the following:    1. Barring dangerous weather conditions, will your event happen outdoors on the scheduled date no matter what? 2. Are your organization and the event venue both open to a rain date? If so, identify that alternate date early on in your planning. 3. Is there the option to move your event indoors?    Be sure to include the weather contingency plan on your website and in other communications so everyone knows what to expect. So, rain or shine, you and your guests will be prepared for whatever the day brings.     #AnnPlans #EventPlanning #NonprofitEvents #WeatherProofEvents #PlanBReady #OutdoorEventTips #NonprofitEvents