by Jan Spence –

It’s spring and time to sow our seeds in the community garden. I’m ready. Excited, in fact!

As a new member of Seeds of Strength, I sign in for the Voting Meeting and Grant Awards Ceremony. Looking over the grant finalists listed on the program, I find myself anxious to hear more about how all of these worthy agencies plan to utilize our “seeds,” i.e. grant money, to empower and strengthen the members of our community.

I believe in this giving circle. There is no possibility that I could individually fund even one of these organizations to the extent needed to make a difference, but in conjunction with 200 other women, who also care about reaching out in our community, we can make things happen.

So I pick up my voting form and settle in, pencil in hand, to hear the presentations. Oh no! The voting form says that of the 11 finalists, I can only vote for four. Not enough votes. Not nearly enough! I suddenly feel like an enthusiastic gardener who realizes she has purchased only enough seed to plant a garden that will feed half of her family. I want to run back to the feed store and purchase more seeds. Even though I realize that more than four agencies will be funded, since $149,000 will be awarded, I am worried. This is going to be a difficult decision.

The presentations begin. I am touched when two moms of children with disabilities share how the interactions with the horses at Ride On Center for Kids (R.O.C.K.) have fostered great strides in their little ones that had not been achieved by any other therapies. These moms, who are also staff members at R.O.C.K., tell us that an SoS grant will allow them to help fifty children.

Did you know that we have many homeless adolescents in Williamson County? Through The Georgetown Project and The Nest, about 100 such teens were helped last year. With a grant, they can continue to help these young people who are so vulnerable. How can I say no?

We all know life is capable of taking a downward spiral, and this is especially true for girls who may have gotten off track in their lives. The Girls Empowerment Network (GEN) steps in to support such young women in turning their lives around; in transcending their troubled history. Their track record is a good one.

I am delighted when I hear how Capital IDEA helped one young mom of three little ones to go back to school and eventually become a nurse. It changed her life and the lives of her family members. Our grant money would allow this agency to help twenty more people.

The presentations continue for seven additional agencies. I’m moved as I learn how each of them would use grant money from SoS: The Literacy Council needs materials to helps adult prepare for the new GED examination; the Georgetown Symphony asks for help to provide bus transportation to bring local children to classical music concerts; Faith in Action requests a grant for gas vouchers to assist volunteers in providing senior citizens with rides to medical appointments; CASA of Williamson County needs an additional case worker who will support the volunteers who advocate for children in the judicial system; the Boys & Girls Club of Georgetown requests a grant to support their one-on-one mentoring program; The Caring Place needs a new truck to pick up donations and food; and Goodwill asks for a grant to support their job training boot camp for at-risk high school students. These are all worthy programs; how can I only choose four? I realize that limiting us to four choices is just a necessary part of the selection process, but what it feels like is … Not enough seeds!

After handing in my ballot, I visit with other members and enjoy the fresh fruit and Hors d’Oeuvres, but I want the clock to tick a little faster. I’m anxious for the results.

When we reconvene, we are treated to a presentation by our Next Generation high school girls. These young ladies have learned about philanthropy from Seeds of Strength mentors and are now sharing their decisions on how to utilize the $4500 provided to them from SoS administrative funds. Their responsible participation in this process is delightful to see. They have decided to use $2000 to create college awareness programs in their high schools, and they also awarded $2500 to The Nest. Good work, ladies!

Finally, the votes have been counted and the grant results are in. In the end, nine agencies are awarded grant money, and I feel very proud to be a member of Seeds of Strength. (A complete list of the agencies that were funded and the amounts they received is provided on the SoS website.)

Leaving, I feel pleased that my contribution, when joined with the donations of the other women of Seeds of Strength, will make a difference in the lives of many people through the work of these deserving organizations. Still, there will always be more to do. We need a bigger garden — more seeds – to keep our growing community strong. I will be telling my friends about Seeds of Strength and inviting them to join us. I hope you will, too.