Polar Bears International’s Post

November marks the season of giving thanks, and it’s a perfect time to reflect on the power of gratitude. During National Gratitude Month, the Carmen Moya State Farm Agent team would like to express our appreciation for the support of our Good Neighbors in Silver Spring and the surrounding areas. What are you grateful for this season? Share your thoughts with us below! #NationalGratitudeMonth #InsuranceAgent #SilverSpring #CarmenInsuranceGroup

No truer words..

Sometimes life is so busy I we forget that we should be grateful for what we have and those that came before us to pave the way. Check out this article to learn more. https://lnkd.in/giZU33V7

🌟 Celebrating the Power of Horses at OATS! 🌟 At OATS (Offering Alternative Therapy with Smiles), we see the transformative impact of horses every day. Our equine partners are more than just animals—they are healers, teachers, and companions who help individuals of all ages and abilities overcome challenges, build confidence, and find joy. From therapy sessions to life lessons, our herd plays a vital role in creating meaningful change. Their patience, intuition, and strength inspire us to keep striving for a brighter, more inclusive future. We’re proud to share our mission and the incredible stories that unfold here at OATS. Whether you're looking to make a difference, get involved, or simply learn more about the power of equine-assisted services, we’d love to connect with you! 💬 Join the conversation: What role have horses played in your life or career? Let us know in the comments! 📢 Interested in supporting OATS? Visit our website to learn more about our programs, volunteer opportunities, and symbolic horse adoptions. Together, we can make a difference—one smile at a time. #EquineAssistedTherapy #NonprofitWork #HorsesHeal #OATSMission #MakingADifference #InclusiveGrowth

🇺🇸 Meet Mike Kenyon: a U.S. Army veteran, lifelong farmer, and dedicated community leader in South Elgin. After serving in Vietnam, Mike returned home to manage his family farm and went on to make a lasting impact through public service, preserving local agriculture, and supporting his community. Want to learn more about his inspiring journey? Read the full story!

Highlighting Jack Bloomfield: A True Champion for Veterans Today, I want to shine a light on someone who truly embodies the spirit of giving back—Jack Bloomfield of First Tee Broward. Jack offers incredible services to veterans, dedicating his time and energy to making a difference in their lives through the game of golf. His passion, kindness, and unwavering commitment remind us just how powerful one person's impact can be. Jack's work is a testament to the idea that giving back doesn't just help others—it strengthens the entire community. We need more people like him who selflessly volunteer their time and hearts to care for those in need. But here's the question Jack inspires us all to ask: What's your why? Why are you helping your community grow? Why are you giving back? For me, it's about honoring those who've served, creating opportunities for veterans to find healing and purpose, and building a supportive community through the power of golf. I had the privilege of interviewing Jack recently, and I encourage you to watch the video linked here. His words are inspiring, and his encouragement for others to step up and make a difference is something we all need to hear. Let's follow Jack's example and look for ways we can give back—whether big or small, every act of kindness matters. Together, we can create a stronger, more compassionate world. What's your why? Let me know in the comments! #FirstTeeBroward #VeteransSupport #GiveBackToCommunity #GolfWithPurpose #OneSwingAtATime #WarriorGolfAcademy #InspiringChange #VolunteerWithPurpose

Dear Friends and Fellow Veterans, As we approach Memorial Day, there's something I feel compelled to share. This day is more than just the unofficial start of summer or a long weekend spent barbecuing and enjoying the outdoors. It's about remembering. Reflect back on the oath you took when you decided to serve. You pledged your life to a cause bigger than yourself. And, you weren't alone. Countless members of our community have experienced this profound connection, a sense of singular purpose that surpasses any other. When we transition out of service, it's as if we've suddenly lost that purpose. That guiding light that once illuminated our path seems to fade. It's a unique form of loss, one that can feel overwhelming and all-consuming. However, when the uniform comes off, the service doesn't have to end. We need to remember that our commitment to serve, to contribute to something more profound than our individual selves, doesn't simply disappear. This Memorial Day, whether you're grilling in your backyard or spending time with your family, I implore you to take a moment. Remember those who have fallen in service to our great nation. Remember your time in service, the trials and triumphs, the camaraderie and the hardships. But, more than that, remember your purpose. Remember that you were built to serve, to answer a call greater than yourself. This is our collective legacy. And it's a purpose we can continue to pursue, in various ways, long after our time in uniform ends. What does service beyond the uniform look like for you? Is it mentoring the next generation, launching a venture that helps others, or finding another way to make a positive impact? Regardless of your path, remember you're not alone. We are all navigating this journey together, linked by a shared history, a shared purpose, and a shared commitment to service. Let's honor those who have given everything on this Memorial Day - not just by remembering them, but by living out the purpose they died for. What does your purpose look like today? How are you continuing to serve? #MemorialDay #VeteranTransition #LifeAfterService #SharedPurpose

Hope Shines Eternal in the City of Angels Despite the devastating wildfires that have decimated Pacific Palisades and other numerous locations around Los Angeles, I awoke to a beautiful sunrise, the return of our birds, the signs in nature that say, "God is with us," and a little Token of Love donated to my LIttle Free Library. I believe we can "rebuild, support each other, and thrive by responding to a CALL FOR ACTION." If you are writers, volunteer to read books to adults and especially children at the temporary shelters set up by the Red Cross. If you are skilled with ability to work with livestock, volunteer to work with the animals housed in city Equestrian centers. If you are chiefs or restaurants, food trucks, donate food to the people housed in our temporary shelters. If you are nurseries or gardeners, donate some beautiful potted plants to the local temporary shelters. In your community and neighborhood, check on your neighbors, especially the elderly, and offer to get groceries, give them rides to health care appointments, offer each other hugs and encouragement when you see them outside. Resources via CA Society for Clinical Social Work: Evacuation Centers: Westwood Recreation Center 1350 South Sepulveda Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90025 El Camino Real Charter High School 5440 Valley Circle Blvd, Woodland Hills, CA 91367 Pasadena Convention Center 300 E Green St, Pasadena, CA 91101 Animal Evacuation Shelters: Los Angeles Equestrian Center 480 W Riverside Dr, Burbank, CA 91506 Pierce College Equestrian Center 7100 El Rancho Drive, Woodland Hills Agoura Animal Care Center 29525 Agoura Rd, Agoura Hills, CA 91301 Pasadena Humane Society: Pasadenahumaneorg Mutual Aide Resources MALAN Fire & Wind Storm Resources:   https://lnkd.in/gaUBXFkf Los Angeles County of Mental Health Resources:   https://lnkd.in/gBKBVKBs Recovery and Assistance Resources: Property Tax Disaster Relief Property owners with damage exceeding $10,000 may qualify for "Misfortune and Calamity" Property Tax Relief Program. Claims must be filed within 12 months of the damage date. Learn more here or call (213) 974-3211. Damage Reporting Report fallen trees, downed power lines, or other public hazards via LA’s 311 Call Center at (213) 473-3231 or the MyLA311 app. Road Closures Check live updates via CHP-West Valley here. Federal Assistance: The Disaster Assistance Improvement Program’s (DAIP) mission is to provide disaster survivors with information, support, services, and a means to access and apply for disaster assistance through joint data-sharing efforts between federal, tribal, state, local, and private sector partners. https://lnkd.in/grFVvnj9   https://lnkd.in/gUGUiFQK #JudithAnneDesjardinsPancreaticWarriorMaiden #HopeShinesEternalfortheCityofAngelsafterWildfires #WhatYouCanDotoRebuildHopeAfterTheDevastatingWildfires

Save the Date

In Celebration of Martin Luther King, I share this short video clip of a little-known encounter Ansil Saunders, a fly-fishing guide in the Bahamas had with him. I hope you find it as inspirational as I do. https://lnkd.in/g8puadFS