You might have noticed that I like to make this column timely. Sometimes, I write about a nonprofit in the area that is in the news, other times I write about a topic that I think is relevant, and other times I write about national holidays.
I am not too sure how I could tie nonprofits to National Lemon Chiffon Day or even Nevada Day. It's time to focus on National Vietnam Veterans Day.
National Vietnam Veterans Day
Today the nation honors the service and sacrifices of Vietnam War veterans. National Vietnam War Veterans Day marks the day the last U.S. combat troops departed Vietnam, March 29, 1973. I am a bit too young to remember much about the Vietnam War and we never got past WWII in history class. My husband (who is much older than I) recalls watching the television intently with his family to hear the draft numbers announced and his sisters crying when they realized that someone they knew would be going to war. If you would like to learn more about this day, go to https://vva.org
Planting Inspiration
When soldiers from the Vietnam war returned to the United States, there was not a lot of assistance available to them. Many used the leadership and ingenuity they learned during the war to start nonprofits back home to support themselves and their fellow soldiers. When most people start a nonprofit, they are usually focused on that small corner of the world that they want to help. But starting a nonprofit often has a rippling effect and can grow and inspire others in ways you may never have imagined.
The Seeds of GRuB
According to their website, the seed for Olympia’s GRuB – Garden Raised Bounty – was planted as the Kitchen Garden Project (KGP). South Sounders Richard and Maria Doss were inspired by the work of a Vietnam veteran, Dan Barker, who founded the Home Gardening Project in Oregon.
In 1993, the Dosses began building free vegetable gardens for low-income people in southwest Washington. KGP’s mission was to empower low-income people by giving them more control over their own food security and decreasing their reliance on emergency food programs.
What's the "u" for?
The story continues a few years later when Bonnie Turner offered her backyard as the site for an intergenerational community gardening project. This gave the Dosses an opportunity to establish a garden program for youth and seniors. In 2001, these programs merged to become Garden-Raised Bounty (GRuB). According to Doss, “there's a common misconception that our name is Garden-Raised Urban Bounty - but it's not. When we tell folks that, they often ask, ‘But what's the 'u' for? ‘The answer is simple. It wouldn't be GRuB without 'u,' our community.” If you would like to learn how you can get more involved in GRuB go to www.grub.org
Growing Support for Veterans
Thankfully, there are a number of nonprofits in the area that continue to support veterans from Vietnam and all other wars. Here are a few that would love your support.
Soliciting your ideas
If you know of a nonprofit that is doing something great, celebrating a success, needs some outstanding volunteers, or hosting an event, let me know! This column (aside from a little education) celebrates nonprofits!
Mary Beth Harrington, CVA (Certified Volunteer Administrator) lives in Tumwater. She travels the country speaking at conferences and to individual organizations articulating issues facing nonprofits. Send your ideas to her at MaryBeth@theJOLTnews.com
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