Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays
From The Harvest Foundation Family!
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Harvest Foundation President Kate Keller spoke to the audience at this year's Project Hope Grantee Celebration.
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A year of change, progress, and the Power of Learning
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From the desk of Harvest Foundation President Kate Keller
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This was a year for learning new things. We all witnessed a chaotic and unpredictable Presidential election. We saw changes in local leadership. We also saw significant progress in some local efforts to grow the region. But what is there to learn from all these activities and changes?
The Harvest Team works at being a learning organization. Learning isn’t something that just happens, and I recently heard it described as being willing to take the risk of learning something new or to being open to changing your mind. Not everyone wants to take that risk or do that on a regular basis. So we put the process behind the efforts to try to make learning normalized and less risky.
Earlier this year, we read the book, Think Again by Adam Grant. Mr. Grant is a well-known organizational psychologist and published author and podcaster. Sheryl Agee wrote a summary about her learning in the October newsletter.
The essence of the book is to challenge yourself to think like a scientist. Never assume you know all the information and be willing to receive new information and modify your opinion based on the newest data or research. This can be hard since it seems some research is always changing — like constantly changing advice if chocolate and wine are good for you or not.
But in a more serious light, one of the lessons I took from this book was to always challenge my assumptions and to seek other ways of understanding and other perspectives.
This year provided many opportunities to practice this lesson. I am practicing and learning how to understand someone’s pathways to why they believe or think a way about a certain issue or project so that understanding can lead to progress. (This practice is also very helpful at home, too!)
It’s easy to disregard people’s opinions that are different than yours, but it is worth the risk to think a bit differently and find a way to common ground. Not only do you benefit personally, but the community should, too.
I hope you and those you love have a joyful holiday season and a blessed 2025!
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Pictured (from left) are Harvest Foundation President Kate Keller, outgoing chair Kelvin Perry and incoming chair Danny Wulff.
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Danny Wulff takes the reins as Harvest board chairman
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As we wrap up our work for the year, we took time at our annual meeting on Dec. 12 to honor the incredible staff and board members who have supported our vision and critical mission in Martinsville and Henry County.
Sheryl Agee, our dedicated Senior Operating Officer, was celebrated as she prepares for retirement in 2025. Sheryl has been a driving force behind our work in impact and evaluation and a tireless advocate for improving the childcare system in Martinsville-Henry County. Her passion for ensuring a bright future for our community’s children is truly unmatched.
Rev. Charles Whitfield attended his final board meeting. As a small business owner, local pastor, and unwavering champion for entrepreneurship, Rev. Whitfield has also fostered strong relationships with the faith-based community. We are deeply grateful for his service and leadership.
The evening also marked a leadership transition for our Board of Directors. Kelvin Perry, an advocate for K-12 education and economic development, officially handed over the reins of board leadership to Danny Wulff, who will guide our board for the next two years. We're excited about Danny’s new role and look forward to our continued growth under his guidance.
Here’s to celebrating a year of progress and the promise of an even brighter future. Please join us in honoring these remarkable individuals for their dedication to our community!
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Harvest Youth Board Member Bailey Stanley shops with kids at the annual Cops 4 Kids event at Walmart. The Harvest Youth Board provided a $5,000 grant to support the event.
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Martinsville Bulletin: Cops shop with kids
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By Bill Wyatt
Local law enforcement agencies and children gathered Saturday (Dec. 14) at the Walmart in Martinsville to shop for Christmas.
It’s an annual event called “Santa Cops for Kids” and this year’s “Shop with a Cop 2024” reached more than 150 children and their families with Christmas presents.
Together with Walmart employees, children who might be a little short on Christmas cheer this season were paired with officers who walked the aisles with the kids and shopped for Christmas presents.
“This event wouldn’t be possible without the generous donations from our incredible community,” a release from the Henry County Sheriff’s Office stated.
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Above to the left, members of the Harvest Youth Board are pictured with members of the Henry County Sheriff's Office, the Martinsville Police Department and the Martinsville Sheriff's Office. Above on the right, a local deputy shops with Chloe Wood, a member of the Harvest Youth Board, and participants of the event.
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The Henry County Food Pantry Needs Your Help!
We are incredibly grateful for the amount of donations for our Clothes Closet! Your generosity helps us provide essential clothing, hygiene, and household items to hundreds of neighbors in need each month.
However, because of the volume of donations we urgently need volunteers to help us sort through donations, organize items, and keep up with the demand. Your time and effort can change a life.
If you or your group can lend a hand, please contact us or stop by during our volunteer hours (Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 9-12). Together, we can keep the Clothes Closet running smoothly and continue serving our community with dignity and care. Thank you for your ongoing support! (Groups of 15 or more we are open to schedule time and date outside of our normal hours by appointment).
Find out more at henrycountyfoodpantry.org. Call (276) 629-1369 or email director@hcfood.org.
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MHC Warming Center Update
Since opening on Nov. 1, the MHC Warming Center has served 67 guests, with 79.7% identifying as male. The oldest guest so far this season is 70 years old, and the youngest — just 3 years old — came in with his mother.
Many guests face significant health challenges, including diabetes, mobility issues, and various cancers.
We often hear the question: “Are we serving MHC residents?” As you’ll see in the charts below (click or tap on images to enlarge), the vast majority of our guests are MHC residents. Others who come to us often have unique and difficult stories—whether they met someone online and the situation didn’t work out, or pursued a housing deal that seemed too good to pass up...only to discover that was unfortunately true.
With another cold week ahead, we’ve attached our schedule for the week to ensure those who need us know when we’re open.
As we approach the holiday season, I am reminded that for many of our guests, this center feels like the closest thing to family they have. I’m incredibly grateful for all who continue to support us and our mission. Your kindness makes a difference every single day.
Thank you. 💙
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| Pass GO and get $5,000 paid toward your student loans!
If approved, you can get an annual payment of $5,000 as a principal payment on your student loans over 10 years — for a maximum of $50,000!
Visit our website to find out more and apply today!
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There's always something fun to do in
Martinsville-Henry County.
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Pictured above is the Philpott Marina in snowy weather.
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Announcing our Holiday Office Closure
The Harvest Foundation's Office, located at 134 E Church St. in Uptown Martinsville, will be closed from December 24 to January 1 in observance of Christmas and the New Year holidays. Please email info@theharvestfoundation.org with any questions or concerns.
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Make an impact in your community. Share your HOPE.
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We welcome your voice and ideas at The Harvest Foundation.
Our general responsive grants cycle is open year-round with consideration from our Board of Directors once a quarter. Our PUP Small Grants Program is an open process with decisions made in less than six weeks. Project Hope grants support small, grassroots projects with immediate impact.
The Harvest Youth Board has a $5,000 grant opportunity available for projects and programs that serve youth in Martinsville-Henry County.
Give our office a call to schedule an appointment with a program officer.
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About The Harvest Foundation:
The Harvest Foundation is a nonprofit organization established in 2002 by the sale of Memorial Hospital. In partnership with the diverse people and organizations that call MHC home, we serve as a long-term catalyst, advocate, and investor to make our community a welcoming place where all can thrive. Our vision is a community where everyone shares in the promise of an MHC that is healthy, prosperous, and vibrant. To date, the foundation has invested more than $170 million in grant dollars back into the community and has an annual grants budget of roughly $10-12 million. To find out more about Harvest, visit www.theharvestfoundation.org.
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