Food Bank of Lincoln’s Post

Friends and Colleagues, As many of you know, I am a passionate Board Member for Dallas Pets Alive! One of the biggest fundraising events for us is TODAY, North Texas Giving Day. Our goal today is to raise $115,000 so we can continue our amazing life-saving work! If you’re looking to give back, please consider donating to Dallas Pets Alive. Every bit helps and makes a big impact! ❤️ Thank you for your support! 🙏 https://lnkd.in/gsZdDbjw More about Dallas Pets Alive: Your support during North Texas Giving Day is not just a donation; it's a lifeline. Every gift you make goes directly to programs that are transforming the lives of animals and their humans. Our Foster and Adoption program is a beacon of hope for the most at-risk animals in our partner shelters, while our preventative programs—like PASS, Dogs Matter, and Bark Dorm—work tirelessly to keep pets out of shelters and in loving homes. These initiatives are not just about rescue; they're about building healthier, stronger communities where animals and people thrive together. The need is urgent. Many of the pets that come into our care have medical conditions so severe that shelters simply can't provide the care they need. Over a third of the animals we help are Major Medical Cases, requiring $1,000 or more in medical expenses. In 2023 alone, we spent more than $400,000 on treatments ranging from basic vaccinations to heartworm treatment and life-saving surgeries. This year, as we've taken on the incredible work of Dogs Matter and face the overwhelming overcrowding in North Texas shelters, the number of animals in our care has more than doubled. For the first time, we have more than 500 animals relying on our programs. While we've made strides in fundraising, the financial demands have outpaced our resources.

HOPE - Healthy Outcomes from Positive Experiences recently shared a post showcasing HOPE Champion Roger Sherman sharing the HOPE Framework with a group of parents while he comforted a baby. You can see the post here: https://shorturl.at/jwBM0 This post got me thinking about the kinds of reactions I typically see in public when a child is distressed and needs comfort. I can think of many examples of folks grumbling, sometimes loudly, about the baby crying on the airplane or the child bawling on the floor at the mall. Instead of seeing a distressed child in need of comfort, or an overwhelmed parent in need of support, they see an opportunity to criticize a stranger's "poor parenting skills". What if we replaced reactions of shame/blame with reactions of curiosity and compassion? What if we looked for ways to model the Four Building Blocks of HOPE* in the way we chose to respond to distressed children and overwhelmed parents? What we might see? - We might ASK the parents if they could use a hand. A simple offer of support to parents can help them feel supported instead of judged, which by itself could enable the parent to rally and re-approach their distressed child with renewed energy. This also provides an example to parents that encourages them to view asking for and receiving help with parenting as safe and productive. The Rugged Individualism that American culture is organized around discourages us from asking for outside help, especially in the personal area of raising children. By providing assistance to a parent in need of support, we directly communicate to them that help is available from their community, as well as counteract the shame that we often feel when asking for help. Considering the Four Building Blocks of HOPE, this best supports the building block of Relationships by teaching parents that they can engage in relationship with their community members to receive support in parenting. - We might INTERACT with the distressed child. We could ask about what is upsetting them or distract them with something entertaining. This could help the child refocus on something other than the triggering event, which can help the child begin to calm down. This type of engagement is part of how children learn to self-regulate, which makes this a perfect example of supporting Emotional Growth, one of the Four Building Blocks of HOPE. - We might ENCOURAGE our own children, if they are present, to interact with the distressed child. Children develop self-awareness and self-regulation from interactions with other children. Like the examples above, this strategy could support the Emotional Growth and the Relationship Building Blocks of HOPE. These examples show that there are many opportunities to promote the Four Building Blocks of HOPE. As community members, we ALL have a role to play in supporting Positive Childhood Experiences. *Unfamiliar with the Four Building Blocks of HOPE? Read more about them here: https://shorturl.at/nCKT8

🐊 Gator Nation, Let's Make Some Noise! 🐊 Ah, the electric air of the Swamp, brimming with ninety thousand voices, united under the Florida sun. Picture it: a sea of orange and blue, every heart beating in unison for the love of the Gators. Remember that surge of pride? That moment when, together, we Stand Up and Holler is a testament to our unbreakable spirit. 🌟 Today, we channel that same energy and passion into something even greater: Stand Up & Holler: Gator Nation Giving Day. 🌟 This isn't just about reminiscing the glories on the field; it's about forging new ones. Every gift, no matter the size, becomes a part of UF's legacy, propelling our beloved university to new heights. Whether it's backing groundbreaking research, supporting student activities, or championing causes close to our Gator hearts, your contribution makes a world of difference. 💡 Imagine the impact of thousands of gifts coming together, each one a shout of support for UF's future. This is our chance to show what it means to be a Gator, to stand shoulder to shoulder, even if miles apart, and lift UF to unprecedented success. Let's show the world the strength of our unity and the depth of our commitment. On Gator Nation Giving Day, let's stand up, let's holler, and let's make history. Together, we're not just fans; we're a family. We're not just alumni; we're the backbone of a tradition that spans generations. Today, let your Gator pride shine brighter than ever. 🐊💙🧡 #StandUpAndHoller #GatorNationGivingDay #GatorsUnite #ForTheGators #UFAlumni https://lnkd.in/gb5BjmFs

NEW PODCAST EPISODE ALERT!!! Another one of my favorite people, Todd Western III, is more than a Black farmer, donor advisor, and high school coach. Learn more in our latest episode of Changing The Narrative Podcast with Dr. Gabriel Warren - kob

Two ways to engage with this transformational conference: Attend (early bird prices end Friday) or Sponsor (DM me and we can discuss)!

Northside ISD

This has to be one of the coolest feelings - a founder using his own platform to accomplish a goal (spoiler alert). I met with a lot of Smeeple experts who helped me get back into shape, work on my agility, and improve my diet. My question for you is: What do you want to do? You can. Please share this amazing journey!

The best program preparing students not only for college but life after their higher education experience.

As a member of the Ram Athletic Fund Board I have made my donation for #VCUGivingDay to support the Student-Athlete Philanthropic Fund. I ask you to consider doing the same. No gift is too small I know many of my connections here started at VCU. Many of you were former athletes. Please consider using the link below to give. Help us meet our $18,000 dollar for dollar match that directly supports our 339 student-athletes. Please consider making a gift today that directly supports the Student-Athlete Philanthropic Fund. When you give to the Student-Athlete Philanthropic Fund, you provide the support our student-athletes need to achieve excellence. You provide scholarship money for bright and talented students who otherwise might not be able to attend VCU. You cover the costs associated with school for students whose busy schedules don't allow for outside employment. You make resources that support student-athletes' well-being possible. You show our athletes you believe in them.  Below are just some of the costs per student-athlete this academic year. Medical and Mental Health Support: $2,555 Academic Support: $2,238 Books and Supplies: $1,240 Give the number of student-athletes (339 SA): $339 One month of extra nutritious meals per student-athlete: $168 Your support means the world to us, and with your help, we can reach our goal and secure the full $18,000 match. Support our Student-Athletes by investing through the link below: #LetsGoVCU #philanthropy #studentathletes #givingday #vcu

California