Embracing Summer Activities and 

Building Community Connectivity

From the desk of Harvest Foundation President Kate Keller

As the warm sun shines and nature flourishes, summer presents a unique opportunity to engage in activities that foster community connectivity. With longer days and plenty of local outdoor options, this season encourages us to come together for fellowship and strengthen our bonds as neighbors. 

Whether you're part of a close-knit neighborhood or looking to build connections in a new community, participating in summer activities can create a sense of belonging and a strong foundation of shared experiences. 

Let's dive into the many ways we can embrace summer and its potential for building community connectivity.

1. Outdoor Festivals and Events: Summer is synonymous with festivals and events that celebrate music, art, culture, and more. These gatherings provide an ideal platform for meeting people with similar interests and nurturing a sense of belonging. Be sure to check out events in Uptown Martinsville, at Piedmont Arts, the next Bassett Cruise-In on July 15, and don’t forget about Smith River Fest!
   
   
2. Community Gardening: Summer is the perfect time to get your hands dirty and participate in community gardening projects. Community gardens bring people together through collaboration and opportunities to learn from experienced gardeners. Tending to plants, nurturing green spaces, and sharing gardening knowledge promote a sense of collective ownership and pride. You'll find yourself exchanging tips, sharing surplus produce, and building relationships beyond the garden's boundaries.
   
   (Want to create your own? Consider applying for a Project Hope grant!)
   
   
3. Outdoor Sports and Recreation: From friendly soccer matches to group hikes, summer offers endless opportunities for outdoor sports and recreational activities that build camaraderie and community spirit. Engaging in shared physical challenges helps break down barriers, fosters teamwork, and strengthens personal connections. MHC offers plenty of places to be physically active — try floating down the Smith River, enjoying Philpott Dam, or walking and/or biking the Dick and Willie trail. Several community centers and the YMCA also offer places to connect and be active.
   
   
4. Volunteer Initiatives: Summertime is an excellent opportunity to participate in volunteer initiatives that address community needs. Whether it's organizing a river or trail cleanup, supporting local charities, or assisting at community events, volunteering contributes to the betterment of your surroundings and allows you to connect with like-minded individuals who share a passion for making a positive impact. These shared experiences and collective efforts create a powerful sense of community, bonding people together through their shared commitment to a common cause.
   
   (Want to organize a volunteer initiative? Consider applying for a Project Hope grant!)
   
   
5. Block Parties and Neighborhood Gatherings: Organizing block parties or neighborhood gatherings is a fantastic way to cultivate community connectivity. These informal events encourage neighbors to come together, share stories, and forge lasting relationships. Organizing a barbecue, a potluck dinner, or a street fair, create opportunities for meaningful interactions, strengthen trust among neighbors, and foster a sense of belonging. They can also serve as platforms to discuss community issues, exchange ideas, and collaborate on initiatives that benefit everyone.
   
   (Want to plan a neighborhood gathering? Consider applying for a Project Hope grant!)

Summer is a season of warmth, vibrancy, and togetherness, and it offers countless avenues to build community connectivity. By actively engaging in summer activities like the ones I mentioned above, we can forge meaningful connections, nurture a sense of belonging, and create a strong and tightly-knit community. So, let's seize the opportunities summer presents, embrace the spirit of togetherness, and work towards building a connected and supportive community that thrives all year round.

Applying for a Project Hope 2023 grant? 

We've got you covered.

Community members 'ignite hope' in brainstorming workshop

Prospective Project Hope 2023 applicants gathered earlier this month at Albert Harris Elementary to flesh out ideas for projects, programs

Martinsville, Va. — Networking, brainstorming and positive feedback brought together 21 members of the community at this month's Ignite Hope: Pre-Application Workshop, held June 27 at Albert Harris Elementary School in Martinsville. 

Participants worked with facilitators Sarah Wray, community engagement, partnership and program manager at Reynolds Homestead, and Julie Walters Steele, Reynolds Homestead director, to flesh out their ideas and make contacts that can help support potential projects and programs. 

This year's theme is  Community Pride & Engagement. Listed below are focus areas that submitted proposals for Project Hope should address. 

• Beautification in MHC
  • Creating Interactive & Engaging Spaces
  • Developing Greenspaces Driving Community Connectivity
  • Park Cleanups & Development (Increasing accessibility for disabled
    and/or senior individuals)
• Engagement in MHC
  • Inter-generational Engagement (Volunteer opportunities for all ages and
    abilities)
  • Strengthening Relationships & Communication Among Neighbors
• Highlighting Diverse Communities in MHC
  • Projects & Programs Celebrating Different Cultures & Communities in
    MHC
  • Educational Campaigns to spread awareness about Different Cultures &
    Communities in MHC

Launched last year, Project Hope was designed to celebrate The Harvest Foundation's 20th Anniversary and also to plant seeds of hope for the future while developing opportunities to strengthen relationships among neighbors. 

Applicants are welcome to contact a program officer at Harvest with any questions about Project Hope and the grants process. 

Applications are open now and due on Aug. 4. Learn more about Project Hope and review the RFP by visiting our website at www.theharvestfoundation.org/project-hope. 

Watch the virtual training session below to learn more about The Harvest Foundation's grants management system, how to complete a project budget, and more about filming an optional video submission. We're here to support you — Let us help!

The Martinsville-Henry County YMCA wants your feedback on the potential for a new facility in MHC. Take the survey and let your voice be heard! You can also attend an upcoming listening session in your community. 

(Requests MUST be between $10,000-$25,000)

Applications Open: June 15, 2023
Application Deadline: By 4:00 p.m. on July 14, 2023
Applicant Presentation: TBD (Applicant presentations are required as noted in the application.) 
Grant Decisions Made: September

Geographic Location:

Organizations located in, and/or serving: City of Martinsville, and the counties of Henry and Patrick

Focus Area

Varies

There's always something fun to do in

Martinsville-Henry County.  

Check out VisitMartinsville to find your next adventure in MHC.

Make an impact in your community. Share your HOPE. 

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. 

Give our office a call to schedule an appointment with a program officer.

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 $158 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.

Discover Harvest — Add us to your address book to get the latest news from The Harvest Foundation delivered to your inbox. 

www.theharvestfoundation.org | (276) 632-3329

134 E. Church St.  | P.O. Box 5183

Martinsville, VA 24115

Manage your preferences | Opt Out using TrueRemove™
Got this as a forward? Sign up to receive our future emails.
View this email online.

134 E. Church St. P.O. Box 5183 | Martinsville, VA 24115 US

This email was sent to .
To continue receiving our emails, add us to your address book.