Lavender O.’s Post

Gear Up for Adventure & Impact: Pedal the Pacific 2024! ♀️⛰️ Hey LinkedIn, I'm thrilled to share that I'm officially a rider on the 2024 Pedal the Pacific team! The incredible 1700 mile ride from Seattle to San Diego is more than just a physical challenge – it's a chance to push boundaries, forge connections, and make a real difference. If you would like to join my very own personal mailing list for my "Why I ride" and other fun tidbits.. (snail mail! Come on, who doesn't love a good handwritten letter?!) feel free to email me at lavenderocean@proton.me or DM me here on LI. I promise I will only send 1-2 letters. :) Our stories and contributions fuel the ride: But this adventure isn't just about me conquering climbs and battling headwinds. It's about US! Whether you've cheered on past riders, dreamt of participating yourself, or simply love the spirit of adventure, I want to hear your story! Share your Pedal the Pacific connection: DM me your story: Tell me why Pedal the Pacific resonates with you. Have you volunteered, supported a rider, or simply been inspired by the challenge? Every connection matters. With every step (or pedal stroke) in this journey, I'm raising funds for organizations close to my heart, one of which being NCMEC. National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC): Working tirelessly to locate missing and exploited children and bring them home safely. Your contribution, big or small, can make a world of difference. So, fellow adventurers, dreamers, and changemakers, lend me your voices and support! Share your stories, donate to the cause, and join me on this epic ride – one pedal stroke and one good deed at a time. Let's fight for a world where NO ONE IS FOR SALE. Let's make Pedal the Pacific 2024 a journey of inspiration, connection, and impact! #PedalthePacific #NCMEC #MakingADifference #socialimpact

The Lap🏃♂️🎽🥾 New LinkedIn post = New Challenge! I thought I'd write a quick post sharing my latest challenge for those who may be interested. In 8 days time, I will be taking on The Lap - a 75km ultra-marathon around Lake Windemere.   Well-trained? Meh. Nervous? Yes. Prepared i.e kit, logistics etc? Surprisingly yes. Excited? Even more...surprisingly yes. I am feeling a range of emotions ahead of next weekend's challenge. This year I have completed my first marathon and the Welsh 3000s but The Lap trumps both of those distance wise and I'm not sure my little twig legs are ready for it, but I will be giving it a good damn go.   This is the first event I've genuinely felt excited for a hiking/running challenge. Perhaps it comes down to a few things:   -The event seems so well organised - there are 5 food stations with a great choice selection of carby/sugary delights such as pizzas, jam roly poly's, an array of fruit and gels and so on. It's re-assuring to know the 75k route if effectively split into 5 small runs/hikes so lots of stations to look forward to when with the body and mind start to tire. -I love hiking - not so much running. Hence this seems the perfect challenge for me. I can run the flats and down hills when feeling fresh and take my time on the steep ascents. -Family/Atmosphere - I will have my family cheering me on at checkpoints in Ambleside & Windermere, as well as hundreds of other supporters cheering on their runners. Not to forget those that have just stopped by to lap up the atmosphere with a few pints. -Recce'd Up - I have recently recce'd the 'toughest' part of the route several times now and feel comfortable I can overcome it on the day when the jelly legs are in full flow and motivation is low. Fail to prepare, prepare to fail n all that. -Charity - if I wasn't motivated enough, I am raising funds for Alzheimer's Society with 3 of my best friends, all of whom have or are currently seeing the negative impact this horrible illness can have on their loved ones. We have already raised over £750 and we hope to hit our target of £1k next weekend! I have included our Just Giving link below for those that are generous enough to donate any amount. A big thanks in advance if that's you.   Finally, it's been a long 12 months since the boys and I signed up so there has been a lot of thinking time and clock watching waiting for the big day to arrive, and now it's almost here, so let's have it!   I will hopefully be posting on here in the days after that I have completed the challenge (hopefully injury free); whether I will concur with all of the above and say I enjoyed it - well, the jury will remain out on that one. Fingers crossed the lakes weather is on our side!!! Ash Liles Matt Barrett Alzheimer's Society Donation link in comments below!

Activate Good is embarking on a new chapter, empowering the Triangle to do more good! We’re excited to announce that Rose Thompson is taking the wheel as Executive Director. Our fearless founder, Amber Melanie Smith is embarking on a new journey to pursue new goals. Her legacy of generosity has fueled Activate Good's success, and her energy and passion will be missed. Amber’s road trip across the US inspired her founding of Activate Good, and that spirit of pursuit of grand horizons will keep this organization on track for the future. Help fill the tank for Activate Good's bright future. With new leadership, it’s an exciting time for our organization to turn the corner on what is next. There is new energy, new ideas, and new goals. Donating today will help our team continue to empower volunteers to be agents of positive change in the Triangle. Like a well-planned road trip, every donation propels us forward, overcoming obstacles and unlocking potential. Join us behind the wheel of change. Together, we'll make pit stops of hope, fueling dreams and creating lasting impact. Rev up your generosity, and let's journey towards a better tomorrow, where every contribution fuels progress and transforms lives. If you or your company is interested in making a donation to this campaign to do more good in the Triangle: https://lnkd.in/eyMDrZq9. #domoregood #howitstarted #howitsgood #futureisbright #raleighdurhamnc #fundraisingcampaign #corporatesocialresponsibility

Every business, no matter the size, has an opportunity to give back in a way that’s sustainable and impactful. As a small(nay, micro) business owner, financial giving can be difficult. But what I am currently able to contribute is the donation of my time, energy, and knowledge. So that’s my course. My virtual class series with Rising to the Fly kicks off on January 10th, and what I love most about the structure of this particular venture is that it brings forth mutual value from every angle. Participants who purchase a ticket receive access to a series of four 60 minute online functional movement, mobility, and mindfulness classes for fly anglers. Not only that, but outside of covering marketing costs the remainder of proceeds go right into the hands of Rising to the Fly, supporting their mission to mobilize more women on the water. We’ve also partnered with Casting for Recovery to offer four scholarships for the series along with a considerably discounted ticket price for those CfR retreat alumni who don’t receive scholarships. P.S. Scholarship recipients are being drawn at random tomorrow(January 2nd)! If you’re a past retreat attendee be sure to sign up via the email you received from CfR. As we step into a new year, I for one am thrilled to be doing so with a great degree of intention, self-awareness, realistic expectations, and a whole lot of heart. Wanna join us for the series and support not one but many pretty fantastic missions? Click the link below to learn more.👇 https://lnkd.in/gHVjEXRM #flyfishing #wadewell #risingtothefly #castingforrecovery #community #smallbusinesssupport #smallbusinessowners #womenentrepreneurs #womensupportingwomen #outdoorfitness #outdoorrecreation #healthandwellbeing #healthandwellness #5050onthewater #fishingindustry

Stuck in the 'nonprofit hustle'? Brico Works is launching our pilot program: BricoBeta. Come work with us to shift from surviving to thriving. This spring, we're offering 4 unique transformation tracks designed to help your organization thrive in a changing world. ➡️ Swipe through to discover: Track 1: Design Your Impact Operating Model Track 2: Agile Strategic Planning Track 3: Program Design Track 4: Impact Framework Design & Execution BricoBeta is more than just a program, it's a community. Join a select group of organizations on a journey of learning, growth, and transformation. Limited spots available! Explore Brico Beta to unlock your nonprofit's full potential. Link in comments. #nonprofit #transformation #community #impact #bricobeta

#FundraisingInTheWild - Fall Edition 🍂💕 Do you struggle to find focus when everything seems to be shifting? Do things that seemed clear two weeks ago - those deep green leaves - suddenly look different? When did all that orange appear?? Where can you see all the colors together - even on one single tree? 🌳🌳🌳🍂🍂🍂🌳🌳🌳 A few fundraising thoughts - Things can seem steady - even stuck - for months at a time: just the ‘planning stage’… Then they start to progress: the first launch of the annual appeal, back-to-school rhythms, projects moving forward again… Everything can seem ‘out of focus’, hard to pin down: lots of moving parts… Take a moment, take time to look around - What has changed? What is (re)appearing? Where are your own feet - are they on the ground in this changing moment? Watch as the picture comes back into focus again… #MoreToShareMoretoGain #fall #autumnleaves #change #focus

🌟 I often read about leadership, personal growth, skill development, and career advancement, but today, I want to focus on a different kind of engagement: giving back through what we love. 🌟 Many of us get involved in charitable activities because of personal experiences or family occurrences that have touched our lives deeply. These moments inspire us to contribute to something truly meaningful. Combining your passion for sports, hobbies, or volunteer work with a fundraising activity is a powerful way to turn these feelings into positive action. Imagine transforming your love for running, cycling, or any other activity into a mission to support a cause close to your heart ❤️ and help others in need. For me, my commitment is personal. I’ve been participating in the Autumn Escape Bike Trek (AEBT) for the American Lung Association for the 22nd time this year, from September 27-29th. 🚴♂️ This event is more than just a physical challenge; it's a way to honor their support for lung health, a cause that means a great deal to me. Over the years, I've also received so much positive feedback from friends, supporters, and colleagues. 💡 Here’s my challenge to you: Don’t just focus on your professional development—reflect on what drives you. Find an activity that aligns with your passions, and make it a point to support a cause at least once a year. Whether it’s a charity run, a bake sale, or volunteering, every effort makes a difference. Let’s inspire each other to lead not only in our careers but in the causes that matter most to us. Who’s with me? 🙌 Find your Cause !!! Join my AEBT Cause - https://lnkd.in/dy3pxcD8 #PersonalGrowth #GiveBack #CommunityImpact #AutumnEscapeBikeTrek #AmericanLungAssociation #MakeADifference

My team and I spent hourssss prepping for that presentation. We got a nonprofit excited about the possibility of exposure and a donation from the workshop. But then... no one came, not even the people who registered. Maybe the date/time were inconvenient. Maybe the topic was lame (I don't think so, lol) Maybe we didn't do a good job advertising it. It could be a number of things. But it's sad. This was supposed to be my way of giving back. Giving back to the business community by sharing my knowledge for free, and by giving back to various nonprofits, both through awareness and donations. 𝗘𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵. 😮💨 Some days—like the workshop when no one shows up—are extra tough, and you wonder, WHAT THE ACTUAL HECK?! 🚨 But... THAT was my wake-up call! It's time for Abambyh Business to make some BIG SHIFTS. I'm ready for us to pump the brakes for a hibernation period, release energy, and come back swinging with a solid PLAN in place. I wasn't following my desires or doing what felt in alignment. I was acting on impulse, out of necessity, and based on what others said. The Virtual Connect July cohort is another example. It was 𝗻𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 part of the PLAN, but I added it because others suggested it would be a good idea. I was acting out of alignment. I was stretched too thin and wasn't listening to myself. My focus was scattered. Well, screw that. I'm so ready for this new flow, this new era. We are getting refocused and ready to showcase the new 'Bamby! 👏 Stay tuned, friends. Some exciting things are already in the works. And it starts with us going back to the fundamentals. 🩷 #AbambyhBusiness #GrowingPains #BusinessGrowth #BusinessEvolution #BusinessPlanning

Pinocchio's just a fairy-tale, this is real-life 😍 There is something truly special about this story, a boy whose dream was to be like all the other boys, a boy who simply wanted to be normal. Hope4❤️ has become something I never dared believe was possible, an irresistible force for good, that's taking the world by storm. And I can say that, as it's not because me, it's all because of you. You did this Lea 🌈 Turner, you did this Bidfood UK, you did this Oakland International Limited, you did this Goods For Good, you did this LinkedIn 🔥 Each and every one of you has made Hope4❤️ what it is today, a wind of change, that simply makes dreams come true. Yes there are other charities, but there is only one Hope4, and together we are radically changing lives and perspectives, reducing the distance between your donation and your impact. Zoe Lomas and I still don't take a salary, and we still prioritise the needs of others, above our own, each member of the team committed to transforming the lives of those we exist to serve. And Arthur's dream was made possible because of Mark Williams and his organisation Sustainable Development Goals Ltd and their client AMCO. LinkedIn has a billion users, a billion opportunities to impact millions of lives. Together #WeAreHope4 𝐁𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐂𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 | 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐁𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 | 𝐃𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐛𝐲 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞 #impact #community #love

It’s just one week until Three Women and a Maybe line up to tackle our 35km trek along the coast from Yallingup to Dunsborough in the name of heart health. We’re raising funds for Heart Foundation, probably dressed in horrendous 1980s gear, probably bitching and moaning all the way, but supporting a very important cause. So here’s the thing - if you are prepared to spend $15 a week on Lotto, you have something like a 1 in 130 million chance of winning the big one. When it comes to heart attack, you have a 1 in 50 chance of that big one. If you donate your $15 Lotto money to us, we can improve those odds phenomenally, and while I’m no statistician, I imagine that if you live longer, your chances of winning Lotto get better too. Is that a convincing argument? Don’t know, but please support us via the link below. Any amount will be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance. https://lnkd.in/g9uvai7v