As this holiday season comes to a close, I can’t help but be impressed by how our community has come together to ensure families have had food, clothing, shelter, and gifts to give their children by supporting the many nonprofits operating in Leon County. This year was particularly challenging with the ever-present COVID virus, but our town did not disappoint.

On December 1, we formally launched our “Friends of Whole Child Leon” campaign for 2020-2021, where we ask members of our community to commit $6 a month - a single dollar per month for each of the six dimensions of a whole child. This commitment is not only a monetary pledge to help support this organization, but also recognition that you support the indisputable fact that the first five years of our children’s lives matter; that the future health of our entire community and economy starts with healthy children, who are both ready to learn and succeed by age five.

To date, 46 individuals have responded to the call including former Speaker of the Florida House, Allan Bense (access full list here). His generous gift, however, came with extra motivation: a promise to match - dollar for dollar - additional contributions generated during the remainder of December. This simple act truly captured the spirit of giving. It was more than just writing a check. It was a reminder that it takes all of us working together to build a community where all children thrive. It was also a reminder that some giving is not monetary. Throughout this donor campaign, we have also engaged new individuals to our cause. From volunteering in your own workplace, to partnering with civic organizations like Kiwanis or Rotary, to joining one of Whole Child’s many workgroups or its Professional Network, this community needs more individuals who are willing to give of themselves to support the healthy development of our youngest children and indeed this community.

So come to the table as we continue our work of identifying gaps in our service system for young children and their families and incubating creative solutions to fill those gaps. Whether it’s 72 minutes volunteering in some capacity, 72 books or other children’s items donated, $72 or $7,200 - we can all be part of the solution and continue to harness the spirit of giving beyond the holiday season and into 2021.

No-cost mental health and substance use counseling, medication, and services for low-income families and individuals needing help as a result of the pandemic are available through IMPOWER,

a Florida non-profit organization.

The Second Harvest of the Big Bend is seeking a Child Nutrition Program Coordinator to join its team.

Learn More