NATIONAL MONTH OF HOPE

During April, buds come into full bloom brightening our days, and the National Month of Hope also lends a hand in lifting our spirits.

Bringing hope to someone can take many forms. Being a positive role model in a child’s life or providing a community a foundation for future endeavors both provide hope for the future. Lift the spirits of a friend suffering from a medical issue or volunteer at a local homeless shelter. We are each able to bring a ray of hope in our own ways by contributing wisdom, time, kindness, and when possible, donating to charities that make the impossible possible.

NATIONAL MONTH OF HOPE HISTORY

H.O.P.E.

Mothers In Crisis, Inc. founded National Month of Hope to help spread hope around the world. Founded by Rosalind Tompkins in 1991 when she was just four years clean and sober, Mothers In Crisis, Inc. supports women and families who are in need bringing them hope and empowering them to find a new path.

On Mothers In Crisis’s 25th Anniversary in April of 2016, they received proclamations from the City of Tallahassee and the Board of County Commissioners acknowledging the significant contributions Mothers In Crisis has made in their region and also declaring Friday as Hope Universe Day.

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HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalMonthOfHope

  • Everyone needs a little hope now and then. Spread a little sunshine their way and bring some hope into their lives.
  • Volunteer by reading to children in schools.
  • Experience meaningful and healthy communication with loved ones, family, friends, co-workers,
    and colleagues.
  • Giving of time, food, and money to help families in need.
  • Minister to those incarcerated by writing letters and visiting.
  • Post on social media words of hope.
  • Sharing your story of overcoming with those who are going through hard times.
  • Lending a helping hand to those in need.
  • Cleaning up areas where there is trash such as parks and beaches.
  • Spend a day with the homeless whether on the streets in shelters, etc. “Unless you walk a mile in their shoes you won’t know how to help!”
  • Use #NationalHopeMonth to share your hope on social media.

NATIONAL VISION BOARD DAY

National Vision Board Day on the second Saturday in January encourages us to set our goals in a visual way. Get out the sticky notes, markers, and inspiration and start plotting your goals for the new year!

Vision board parties began in 2010 between a group of friends as a way for people to get together in a fun environment to set goals, cast a vision and dream out loud in a tangible way. They then mount on their completed vision boards on their walls where they would see them every day. Seeing their hopes and dreams helps set in motion these visions and ideas to become a reality.

Many actors, musicians, fashion and entertainment-based people have been participating in this since its inception. Vision boards help people remember their goals and concepts on a daily basis.

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HOW TO OBSERVE #VisionBoardDay

Host a vision party for your friends, family or co-workers. Set goals for the coming year and put them where you can see them. They will help motivate you to attain your goals. Do you have a vision board from last year? How well did it work? Share the results and get ready for an outstanding vision board for this year, too!

Post photos using #VisionBoardDay on social media.

SAVE THE EAGLES DAY

Each year on January 10th, Save the Eagles Day reminds us of the majestic raptors that soar above the Earth – whether they are well populated or endangered. Due to the work of scientists and the public, the bald eagle was removed from this list in June 2007. Poaching, pesticides, and other dangers continue to threaten eagle populations.

While the day started as a way to save a specific pair of bald eagles and to raise awareness about the species, the observance has grown to encompass all species of eagles. Approximately 60 species of eagles populate the world. Most of the species are found in Eurasia and Africa. North, Central, and South America and Australia only account for about 14 species. However, no eagles are found in Hawaii. The most common species in North America are the bald and golden eagles. 

Eagles are powerful birds of prey. An eagle’s sharp sense of sight paired with powerful muscles, piercing talons, and beak, make them primed for the hunt. They are also monogamous, mating for life. 

SAVE THE EAGLES DAY HISTORY

In 2015, Save the Eagles Day originated in the Village of Ridgefield Park, New Jersey. The day is the result of an effort to save a pair of nesting bald eagles near the community. Late in 2014, Skymark Development Corp of Paramus brought a study forth arguing that a landfill near where the eagles nested posed health risks. The nesting pair, fondly named Alice and Al, had nested along Overpeck Creek since at least 2011. When the developer proposed a solution that included removing the tree the eagles nested in, the community and the Bergen County Audubon Society organized Save the Eagles Day on January 10, 2015. 

Eventually, an agreement was formed to preserve an area of the land as an eagle park. Alice and Al continued to live out their days in Ridgefield Park and fly over the residents there. Read more about the environmental success of the area and about Alice and Al.

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Animal days

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HOW TO OBSERVE SAVE THE EAGLES DAY

Learn more about eagles. Watch documentaries or read about them. Visit an aviary or a bird sanctuary. We have provided a couple of books to review, too. Participate in preservation and conservation in your area, too.

Use #SaveTheEaglesDay to post on social media.

NATIONAL APRICOT DAY

Apricot lovers from all over the United States observe National Apricot Day every year on January 9th.

Related to the peach, the apricot’s velvety flesh is quite similar. However, the texture of the golden-orange fruit is firmer, and the flavor more tart than its cousin’s. Since we easily preserve the apricot, we enjoy this versatile fruit all year long – fresh, canned, and dried.

Apricots are found the world over but originated in northeastern China near the Russian border in ancient times. Later, the fruit was introduced to Europe and Armenia. The apricot found its way to North America when English colonists settled in Virginia. Apricots traveled further west when Spanish explorers and missionaries brought them on expeditions. This migration caused apricots to be grown commercially today.

The apricot tree can grow to 45 feet if left unpruned. It produces white, pink, or red blossoms and is a winter-hardy tree. However, early frosts can damage the fruit.

Fresh apricots pack in the nutrients. A 1 cup serving of apricot halves contains 60% of the daily allowance of Vitamin A, and 26% of the daily allowance for Vitamin C. Other vitamins in this low-calorie snack include Vitamin B-6, Magnesium, Iron and Calcium and is also an excellent source of fiber.

With its unique flavor, the apricot is a versatile ingredient lending itself to both sweet and savory dishes. Perfect for snacking, apricots are best fresh off the tree but are also found in markets the year-round.  Dried, they are delicious in healthy granola or a salad.

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HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalApricotDay

The best way to celebrate is by eating an apricot. Whether you enjoy preserves or bake up your favorite recipes, be sure to invite someone to enjoy it with you. We’ve even supplied delicious recipes for you to try.

Consider planting an apricot tree in the spring or exploring and learning about apricot growers in your area. Buying local, when possible, supports the growers in your area. Eat some apricots and use #NationalApricotDay to post on social media.

9 Year Anniversary

Celebrate nine years of love, commitment, and cherished memories with anniversary gifts that are as unique and meaningful as your journey together. The ninth anniversary is traditionally associated with pottery and willow, symbolizing strength, flexibility, and the beauty of a relationship that has been molded and refined over time. However, modern interpretations also embrace leather and lapis lazuli as timeless symbols of durability, luxury, and wisdom. Whether it’s a handcrafted leather journal filled with heartfelt poetry, a sleek leather accessory, or a stunning piece of lapis lazuli jewelry, these gifts offer a perfect blend of elegance and sentiment. Poetry, with its ability to capture emotions in words, adds a deeply personal touch, making your gift a true reflection of your bond.

Leather gifts, such as personalized wallets, photo albums, or custom-bound books, represent the resilience and enduring nature of your relationship. Pairing these with the deep blue hues of lapis lazuli, a stone historically revered for its connection to truth and harmony, creates a gift that is both meaningful and luxurious. Consider combining these elements—perhaps a leather-bound book of love poems adorned with lapis lazuli accents, or a piece of jewelry featuring the stone engraved with a line of poetry. These thoughtful and artistic gifts not only honor the past nine years but also inspire a future filled with continued love, growth, and shared dreams. Celebrate this milestone with a gift that speaks to the heart and stands the test of time.