Chesterton Academy of St. Michael

New to me this year, Chesterton has been a growing part of my life. Our community is in desperate need of Classical Catholic education, and the staff at Chesterton St. Michael is just fantastic. Full of passionate staff and upstanding students, I am so excited to see this school grow!

In 2008, Tom Bengtson and Dale Ahlquist co-founded the first Chesterton Academy in St. Louis Park, a small suburb of Minneapolis, Minnesota. Each had young families and were seeking an alternative to the existing high school options available to them. The two men had a simple mission: to offer a classical, integrated high school education that was faithful to the Catholic Church and affordable for families of average means. Looking to G.K. Chesterton as the model for a complete thinker and modern defender of the faith, they named the school Chesterton Academy. Inspired by Pope Saint John Paul II, they took as their motto Cultura Vitae, the culture of life.

Chesterton Academy of St. Michael's mission is to assist parents in forming Christ- centered leaders who are committed to the teachings of our holy Catholic church and prepared to live out their God given vocation in pursuit of what is true, good and beautiful. Christ-centered: daily mass, curriculum with Catholic faith at the center, all staff take oath of fidelity to the Magisterium, pilgrimages, pro-life, serving the community

Emma's Exceptional Equipment Exchange

We have been connected to this organization before it was even officially a non-profit. Ever since my youngest got his first feeding tube in 2021, we have been blessed by this organization's twice annual equipment exchange. In the spring and summer, they offer two days of trading supplies and equipment, for those to share. Extra tube supplies? Extra formula? Too many diapers/briefs? A wheelchair or lift you no longer use? It's free for the taking! Since most of the items are provided by insurance and cannot be resold, this provides a beautiful opportunity for those with too many things to bless those with not enough. I cannot express how thankful I am every year for all that we are able to give and receive at these events. They have since expanded into Eastern WA and I am so excited to see them grow! Please help support this organization, in their mission to help families with special needs of all kinds.

Abiding Together Podcast

I was slow to jump on board with this podcast, but since I did, it has been such a blessing! I don't often have time to listen to podcasts these days, but over Lent this past year, my local mom's group did a book study where there were podcasts that went along with it. Ever since then, I have been obsessed! These women are amazing and so full of authenticity and love. Please help support their podcast and their mission in bringing God's love to all.

His Way at Work

This organization is brand new to me, but has already done amazing things in my life. It is my goal to build a local community of businesses who will consecrate their businesses this year, alongside the consecration of the US to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. What better way to give your business meaning?

His Way at Work transforms workplaces by inspiring business owners to consecrate their companies and equipping them to pursue eternal value, placing God at the center.

Their core values:

LOVE OF GOD

By consecrating our businesses, we honor God by placing Him at the center and dedicating the company to a higher purpose.

LOVE OF NEIGHBOR

We fulfill the commandment to love our neighbors by prioritizing the physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being of our employees, their families, and the community.

APOSTOLIC ZEAL

We strive for more than a simple return on investment; we aim for an eternal return on our efforts by promoting witness to faith in Christ and always showing respect for other faith traditions.

BUSINESS EXCELLENCE

We advocate for responsible stewardship in business, embracing excellence in leadership and service delivery. We recognize the importance of balancing performance with care.

Casa Vigeo

I had the absolute honor of working with this organization earlier this year to get their website launched. Direct from their website:

Our mission is to evangelize Catholic families through a residential program designed to improve faith formation, financial literacy, and fraternity...While enrolled in our program, families will actively pursue goals set in each of the below categories, while living in program housing. Our Program Coordinator will meet with families four times a year to measure progress toward stated goals.

This organization has so much potential to do so much good! Help them get on their feet so they can really get rolling in helping Catholic families get on theirs. Donate today!

Sherwood

I was first introduced to Sherwood when my youngest was deep in medical care and quite behind in many things. For so long, he only babbled with a few sounds, never speaking any words, or really pointing at all. He was REALLY behind in speech and all the precursors to speech as well. We were able to get him into Sherwood through the birth to 3 early intervention program. During the first 6-9 months, we were not really sure if he would ever talk, given his genetic condition diagnosis and seeming lack of progress. We were starting alternative communication methods and ASL as a way for him to communicate with us. Then, the wheels started coming unstuck - he finally started saying one word, then two, then putting them together. It was our therapist at Sherwood that got us there, and I cannot thank her enough. I cried the day he said "I love you!" Sherwood is a Godsend to those in our community, those who need the help.

Catechesis of the Good Shepherd

My kids have been in Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) for 3 years now and I cannot express how absolutely amazing it has been for them. We homeschool and it's been beautiful to see how my children open up their "Mass Box" and pretend to say mass and give each other the host. I have loved seeing my older two connect what they have learned in CGS to things they hear during Sunday mass. I often hear them exclaim "Hey! I've heard this before!" What an absolute blessing CGS has been for not only my family, but our parish!

St. Vincent de Paul

This is our favorite thrift store ever! We are so happy to donate to and shop at our local St. Vinnie's shops. We have gotten so many amazing clothes, toys, and different fun things from our local St. Vincent de Paul stores, it has been such a blessing! I also have my kids buy each other christmas presents for each other from these stores! It's been so nice to see how the organization also collects food and jackets for those in need in our area.

Plant With Purpose

Plant With Purpose has been a part of my life since I was a tiny child, back when it was called Floresta. My uncle has been the Executive Director since 1995 and has grown this organization from the ground up.

Plant With Purpose operates in nine countries around the world. Their international work is 100% locally-led, with global offices operating both as independent agencies within their country, and alliance partners with Plant With Purpose U.S., which supports their ongoing work.

Plant With Purpose takes a holistic approach to addressing rural poverty and environmental degradation in a way that equips and empowers local communities to create their own change. Rather than focusing on economic development, ecological restoration, or spiritual renewal alone, our Community Designed Restoration (CDR) integrates all three, simultaneously addressing the root causes of poverty and deforestation within a watershed.