Jenny Howarth’s Post

As a parent, you always hope to see your children grow into individuals who make a positive difference. Seeing Arden recognized as Volunteer of the Year by the San Diego Business Journal Nonprofit & Corporate Citizenship Awards is, of course, a proud moment. But what’s even more fulfilling is watching the impact of his nonprofit, Sports4Kids-CA, unfold. For two years, he’s worked tirelessly to bring sports opportunities to kids who might not otherwise have access. 🏀⚽ Just yesterday, I stopped by one of his sessions at a local elementary school. Watching 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders—whom don’t have regular PE classes in their schools—get their only physical activity for the week was both heartwarming and eye-opening. It’s easy to overlook how something as simple as a weekly soccer or basketball session can make a difference, but the science backs it up. 📊 According to a study published (https://lnkd.in/g2FymJ3H ) in PLOS ONE (with over 11,000 children aged 9-13), participation in team sports leads to: 🔵 10% lower anxiety and depression scores 🔵 19% lower withdrawal and depression scores 🔵 17% lower social problems 🔵 12% fewer attention problems 🔵 20% fewer instances of rule-breaking behavior In a world where mental health challenges are rising at an alarming rate, especially among youth, providing access to sports may seem like a small thing. But over time, these small, consistent efforts can change lives—physically, mentally, and emotionally. 🌱 What might start as just a game can evolve into something much more: a foundation for resilience, confidence, and long-term well-being. When you consider the percentages from the study—those 10%, 20% reductions in mental health challenges—applied across schools, communities, and generations, the potential impact is enormous. These small actions, when repeated over time, can accumulate and create lifelong benefits for children and, ultimately, healthier, stronger communities. 💪 Thank you to everyone who has supported Arden—and to all who work tirelessly to make a difference in young lives. 🙏 #Sports4MentalHealth #PhysicalEducation #PhysicalHealth

As a bit of balance to the usual noise. With the 🐣 Easter school holidays 🐣looming large, many families find themselves more stretched than usual and a lot of kids end up going hungry. So in the spirit of always looking for the helpers, please do consider (this includes companies) supporting and/or elevating organisations working on the ground to combat this reality as well as support kids in school who are not receiving meals. Some links below, but please do comment with more. ✨ Magic Breakfast - offers over 200,000 breakfasts every day to children and young people in schools across England and Scotland.  https://lnkd.in/ecGbGcHJ ✨ FareShare - is a UK national network of charitable food redistributes, made up of 18 independent organisations. They take quality surplus food from across the food industry and deliver it to 8,500+ frontline charities and community groups. This includes school breakfast clubs, elderly people’s lunch clubs, homeless shelters and community cafes.  https://fareshare.org.uk/ ✨ The Felix Project -  aims to change the fact that millions of people in the UK regularly experience hunger, yet tonnes of surplus fresh food is thrown away every day. The project collects fresh, nutritious food that cannot be sold, and delivers it to schools and charities.  They also run a specific programme in London, alongside The Mayors Fund, to tackle the issue of school holiday shortfalls.  https://lnkd.in/eXVpcmgz  https://lnkd.in/eb3d8BD2 ✨ Little Village - adding for good measure as they (and most baby banks) are constantly in need to support and donations as they receive an ask for help on average every 45 seconds right now, as 4,3 million children live in poverty in the UK.

This Memorial Day, as we honor those who have served and sacrificed, let’s also reflect on the habits that shape our lives. Gratitude Practice: Take a moment to express gratitude for the freedoms and opportunities we enjoy. Write down three things you’re thankful for today. Connect with Loved Ones: Spend quality time with family and friends. Strengthen those bonds with meaningful conversations and shared memories. Active Remembrance: Engage in an activity that honors the spirit of service. Whether it’s volunteering, attending a ceremony, or simply going for a walk to reflect, make it a habit to give back. Mindful Moment: Pause for a few minutes to meditate or breathe deeply. Reflect on the values of courage and resilience that Memorial Day represents. Let’s create habits that not only honor the past but also build a brighter future. https://guidedsteps.net/

Thanks for your support Nick Goodfellow. We are grateful to our entire Strategic Planning Committee, staff, members, and planning consultants! We look forward to implementing this with you. <3 #foodpolicy #strategicplanning #communityimpact #foodjustice

For those in my network in the Charity sector...Volunteero is a really effective volunteer management system and here is a case study from RSPCA explaining why https://lnkd.in/eRiJ3K6U

Investing in the regions strengthens the future of our nation as a whole. A growing cohort of people call regional and rural Australia home, and contribute significantly to our national economy through vital industries such as agriculture, resources, manufacturing, and tourism. Our regions are integral to shaping a thriving, connected Australia, and it is paramount that the individuals and groups within them are supported to build capacity, adapt to challenges, and seize opportunities for stabilisation and revitalisation. Community groups - such as sporting clubs, hall committees, environmental organisations, and more - are a key piece of the puzzle, serving as the backbone of many townships. In today’s landscape, where volunteerism is declining and resources are often limited, it is imperative these groups are supported to sustain their efforts, adapt to changing circumstances, and continue delivering meaningful contributions to their communities. FRRR (Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal) are very much at the forefront of this work, exemplifying the power and value of investing in the regions. In partnership with Emergency Recovery Victoria, FRRR supported us to collaborate with Into Our Hands Community Foundation to deliver the GROW Volunteering program. Through this program, we were able to support community groups to thrive, create positive change, and strengthen the fabric of our regional areas as flourishing places to live, work, and play.

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.

February wraps up, feeling like a year's end in just two months! How's your 2024 so far? Any lessons shaping your path ahead? This month brought valuable experiences: 1. Volunteering at a FairPrice outlet during CNY work highlighted the importance of every cent. What seems small to some is substantial to others. 2. Respect is earned. CNY volunteering witnessed customers handing food to our frontliners, showing that kindness matters more than material things. 3. At a community event, the majority assumed one choice was wisest, but a thoughtful minority's alternative proved best—a reminder to be mindful of choices. March awaits with these insights. In the words of Winston Churchill, "Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts." 🚀 #FebruaryReflections #LifeLessons #WisdomThursday #GrowthMindset

This is the unfortunate truth for independent pharmacies lately, even those who have been in business for 86 years. As an independent pharmacy owner myself, I spend countless hours, including weekends and early mornings, to find innovative ways to keep my pharmacy profitable. The dispensing days of pharmacy are over; we must try to offer additional services, such as compounding, remote patient monitoring, testing and treatment, and collaborating more with physicians to bill for our valuable services. Although the road ahead may be challenging, this is our opportunity as a small business owner and pharmacists to be creative, innovative, and profitable by trying something new. Let's hear what niches your pharmacy has found to be profitable in the comments! 👊🏿I'm Claude, and I am an independent pharmacy and multi-business owner who invests in commercial real estate. If you are looking to learn how to invest in commercial real estate, build a successful business, or simply seeking inspiration to pursue your dreams, follow me. Like and share my content to stay updated on valuable insights. I look forward to connecting with you. #commercialrealestate #investing #RxREI #smallbusiness

30% of all rural U.S. hospitals are at risk of closing. Now, Our local nonprofit hospitals like Beebe Healthcare are under threat from the proposed Delaware Hospital Cost Bill. Worse, it replaces dedicated local volunteers with political appointees. This could have a devastating impact on the quality of care and the financial stability of our healthcare providers. We need your help to protect our community's healthcare! In the last few years, we've seen many nonprofit hospitals close across the United States, and we don't want that to happen here. It's time to stand up for our local hospitals and ensure they can continue to serve our community with the best care possible. Here's what you can do to help: Please, #Share this post: Spread the word about the urgent need to protect our local hospitals from the Delaware hospital cost bill. The more people know about it, the more we can work together to make a difference. Contact your representatives: Reach out to your state representatives and let them know that you support our local hospitals and oppose the bill. Share your concerns about the potential consequences for our healthcare providers and urge them to reconsider the proposed legislation. Volunteer: If you have the time and resources, consider volunteering at your local hospital. This can help them save money and continue to provide essential services to our community. We need to act now to save our local hospitals from the potential consequences of the Delaware Hospital Cost Bill. Together, we can make a difference and help our healthcare providers continue to serve our community with the best care possible. Don't wait – share this post and make your voice heard today!