From Dogs to Gardens - Comments for a Cause Continues

If you are here for the first time – WELCOME! If you are a regular reader – THANK YOU! The first day of each month has become quite special here at It’s Just Life – Finding the Extraordinary in the Ordinary. I began doing Comments for a Cause back in April 2011 and it has grown to be the most wonderful thing that I could do and I am so grateful to each and every reader and for each and every comment made here over that time period.

During June I highlighted Retrieving Freedom, Inc to be our recipient for the month. Based locally out of Waverly this wonderful organization helps supply service dogs to veterans, children with autism and most recently adults and children with diabetes. Their dedication and passion is evident in all of the comments that folks peppered my blog with over the past month and I had so hoped to be able to go to their open house but just could not break away from the moving preparation to make the trip. You can read more about their organization by clicking here or by visiting this blog post to read more.

Chris and I are thrilled to announce that we will be making a donation of $200 to Retrieving Freedom, Inc. to help in their continued work. Thank you to each one of you who took the time to read and comment. It all added up.

Image from Highland Youth Garden

I know I say this every single month but this month I am so excited! This month I am proud to highlight a cause that is bound to be one that you can get behind. Bill Kline has been a family friend ever since I can remember. Remember those infamous Mustard Kline Brown picnics I have posted about at Lakeside during East Ohio Annual Conference? Well, Bill is one of “those” Klines and if I can be proud of any friendship that I have it has to be our ongoing friendship with Bill and the rest of the Kline clan.

Image from Highland Youth Garden

Bill has a heart as big as anyone I know and his passion has always been growing good food. He had a truck garden business and was quite successful at making that business grow into a profitable business with the purpose of providing good nutritious food. His dedication to Highland Youth Garden and the goals that they have is without a doubt unshakeable. The mission of the Highland Youth Garden is:

Enhancing the Hilltop through growing food and educating children and neighbors.

Their vision:

Building a healthy community through gardening.

When we were together at Lakeside in June I took the chance to sit down with Bill and talk about his passion – The Highland Youth Garden. (Please disregard the vacation attire and noisy background –we kind of did this on the spur of the moment).

Bill Kline Talks About the Highland Youth Garden from Beth Ann Chiles on Vimeo.

Can you see why I love this cause for July? What is better than a combination of friendship, learning, children and food? Not much. Please go to the Highland Youth Garden website by clicking here to learn more about what they do and visit and like their Facebook page here. I would love to see them get a lot more “likes” on their Facebook page and I bet together we can do that. For every comment made on It’s Just Life – Finding the Extraordinary in the Ordinary during July on ANY POST Chris and I will donate $1 to Highland Youth Garden. Double our normal donation this month because this one is really special, folks. Comment often. Share the love. Any post. Any time. $1 per comment.