Finalist

It Takes Three

by Ruby in gratitude for her friend Rachel & Julia

Life has been challenging as of late. I am in my first semester of law school, a beast in its own right that has me pouring over pages and pages of legal cases. It is a time of comparison, fatigue, and self-doubt. To keep me grounded, I am thinking about the people in my life that I love so dearly. The people that don't care whether I do my assigned readings or what grade I receive on my legal research memo. Rachel and Julia are incredibly special to me. They are my travel buddies, my shoulders to cry on, my motivators. They are selfless and caring. They make me smile and laugh. They are like sisters to me. I have so much gratitude for my friendship with them and for all the adventures we have had together, and for all those which lie ahead.

Donating to: American Farmland Trust

Finalist

A Lifetime Devotion to Local Food Systems

by Carole in gratitude for her Community Food Pantry Garden Volunteer Raymond

Ray Henrion was born in 1930 and spent a life selflessly helping others. Ray's devotion to our community garden, which provides produce to our food pantry, was daily. Even during Covid, he worked every day to grow fresh vegetables for the community. He worked with joy, peace, and devotion and was an inspiration to all. He was committed to our local food system. Ray passed away last January (two days before his 94th birthday) and I would like to nominate him for recognition.

Donating to: American Farmland Trust

Finalist

My Coworker’s Undeniable Impact

by Stephanie in gratitude for her coworker Rosa

Rosa is the heartbeat of the catering kitchen I assist at. She truly is irreplaceable. Every week she comes in with a beaming smile, a wise crack and/or a hug for everyone. Rosa is the reason why the kitchen can produce hundreds of meals every month for our community’s Meals on Wheels program. Without her many wouldn’t have lovingly made sandwiches, snacks or hot meals to look forward to. We refer to the MOW’s members as “Los Amigos” (The Friends) and she truly puts her all into making nourishing food for them each and every week. Rosa is one of the most hardworking, caring community members I know and she definitely deserves her roses every day. Thank you Rosa for feeding our community with integrity and devotion.

Donating to: North American Traditional Indigenous Food Systems

Finalist

FaceTimes with baby Thea

by Sinéad in gratitude for her niece Thea

I live in New York City, but I am originally from Ireland. When my baby niece, Thea, was born, I was in a really bad place with my mental health. I ended up having to go off work for 3 months and travel home to try to get better. When I got there, I met Thea for the first time, and for the first time in months, I felt a glimmer of something that wasn’t sadness. Her simplicity and love radiate from her tiny little being. She is truly a guardian angel for me, sent here to help me and keep me going. Now, I have returned to NYC, so when I talk with Thea, it’s via her mummy’s phone and FaceTime. As soon as she hears my voice and sees my face, she literally tries to make her way through the phone to get to me, and reminds me that the world isn’t all bad.

Donating to: North American Traditional Indigenous Food Systems

Finalist

Carlos' Chords that Bind Us

by Mari in gratitude for her friend Carlos

Carlos is a quiet miracle in this loud, hurried city. Every day, he settles into the heart of Central Park and shares his gift of guitar music for hours, not for recognition or fame, but to weave small, unexpected moments of beauty into people's lives. I’ve watched him observe with attuned presence—catching fragments of conversation, intuitively tuning his guitar to a stranger’s heart, offering songs that touch people to the bottom of their soul. A teenager sings along, a couple shares a tender moment during a proposal, a passerby relaxes in contemplation. He reminds me that art doesn’t need to shout to be noticed; sometimes, the most profound connections are the ones that bloom in fleeting, unspoken encounters. Carlos gives us this gift every day—soft, simple, and full of grace.

Donating to: Regenerative Organic Alliance

Semifinalist

My Spouse, My Mentor in the Power of Kindness

by Virgie in gratitude for her spouse Andrew

This year I married Andrew, a person who has taught me how to see the world and others in a new way. I have a complicated history that rendered me rigid and hypervigilant. I worried I'd never be able to love anyone deeply. At 36, I met Andrew. I noticed right away he was eager to suspend judgment; he would weave these humble narratives about why even a total jerk still deserved kindness. He never spoke ill of others. This absence of judgment became a type of sacred silence, which I hadn't really ever experienced before. Witnessing him day after day began to change me in subtle but magical ways, and I finally felt the safety I'd always craved. It allowed me to fall in love with him. I'm so grateful to Andrew for giving me a second shot at seeing the world as a place full of possibility.

Donating to: North American Traditional Indigenous Food Systems

Semifinalist

Loving Partner, Doting Dad

by Monica in gratitude for her husband Phil

Phil has always been supportive and loving but he stepped it up to a whole new level after finding out I was pregnant at the beginning of the year. When I was insecure about my changing body, he made sure I felt loved and adored. When I was suffering from extreme nausea and fatigued, he kept our household clean and cared for. When I couldn’t see our baby girl in the NICU following an emergency C-section, he went between our hospital floors to make sure she knew how loved she was from the start. Watching him grow from husband to father has been emotionally fulfilling in ways I couldn’t have imagined. He’s already a great dad two months in and I am so thankful to be on this crazy journey of parenthood with him. Thank you for being the absolute greatest, this year and every year.

Donating to: American Farmland Trust

Semifinalist

To soft men in hard times

by Caitlyn in gratitude for her spouse Alex

Alex brings out the best in everyone. He is so passionate about everything he does and radiates kindness to all his students, our dog Samson and myself (his wife!) I’m so lucky. We have been through so much together and I really do not think I could go through it alone. He believes in the power of relationships and wanting to get more involved in local movements where we live and he is a great role model to his students our nieces and the future generation. We need more kind men in our world and Alex is one of them!

Donating to: Soul Fire Farm

Semifinalist

Food Waste Warriors

by Anna in gratitude for her friend/co-organizer Craig

A few months ago, an incredible team of volunteers came together to host a food waste reduction banquet at the Prime Produce Apprentice Cooperative in NYC. We spent three days preparing a meal for 50 people in a tiny apartment and hauling suitcases of donated food through the streets, to create a fun food waste awareness event for our community. We even sent guests home with grocery goodie bags! I’m grateful for my climate community who volunteer their time (even outside their full-time environmental jobs!) to build a better world, every day. Craig Rye, a good friend and co-organizer of Repurposed Plates, makes events like this one possible. He is passionate, intelligent, knowledgeable, and hopeful. To more community-driven climate events!

Donating to: Regenerative Organic Alliance

Semifinalist

A Friend of the Forest

by Martha in gratitude for her neighbor Sam

We live in the Hudson Valley, in a Community that sits atop the 850 Acre West Mtn State Park. We are surrounded by beautiful trees, lakes and animals in their Natural Habitat. Sam studied Forestry and works in that field. But, his job doesn’t stop when he goes home. Sam was on the Homeowners Association Board where he made sure the roads were clear of vegetation and trees. He was always available to advise neighbors. The Hudson Valley is currently experiencing a serious drought and Forest Fires are popping up in many surrounding Communities. Sam is always looking to prevent a problem. Last weekend a tree fell onto electrical wires and could have caused a Forest Fire. Sam was there in 10 minutes to see what could be done. To advise who to call and the tree was safely taken down within hours.

Donating to: Soul Fire Farm

Semifinalist

Yes, I Love Living Around the Corner from my Mother-in-Law!

by Andrea in gratitude for her daughter-in-law JoAnn

I didn’t think I would leave New York City. I lived there for 19 years. But with a little boy added to our family, and a little girl on the way, my husband and I needed space. So we picked a house around the corner from grandmommy. It needed a lot of work but it was a sunny five-minute walk from the only person I knew in town. Grandmommy JoAnn’s help and kindness has been invaluable. When she moved a few years ago we were all sad, but we still see her every Sunday for family dinner. And the fig tree she had tended so lovingly in her yard was gifted to us. Now, every summer when I pull these sweet juicy ripe figs off the thriving tree, I send grandmommy a picture of the harvest, and thank her. For fruit, yes, but I really should thank her for everything she has done for us, always.

Donating to: Regenerative Organic Alliance

Semifinalist

A Ferry Adventure with the Best crew!

by Alisa in gratitude for her ferry operator Denzel

Denzel, and the whole New Orleans ferry crew, have instilled within our children a deep joy and appreciation for the water. Denzel offered to take Billy up top to see how he drives the ferry from Algiers Point to the French Quarter and back. The crew always move from their front seats when our 4 1/2 year old and 18 month old board, so that these little ones can see all the action: docking and undocking. They want to be ferry workers when they grow up! Thank you for sharing the magic of your job with our little ones.

Donating to: Soul Fire Farm

Egg's Crew

by Amanda in gratitude for her catsitters Heather, Suzanne, Jon, Autumn, Josh, Anne, Beth, Maddy, Adam, and Leslie

No, this cat is not secretly a human after some witchy transformation spell. This tabby, named Egg, is my cat. While I love Egg to the moon and back and always aim to be with my “daughter” whenever possible, it is my time away from her that deepens my gratitude to my human community. Most people don’t have 10 catsitters, but, as the saying goes, it takes a village, and I can't thank mine enough for feeding, playing, brushing, and speaking words of affirmation to her when I am away. Because we share love and the bonds of friendship for each other, caring for my cat is an expression of their care for me. And of course, because community is reciprocal, I am grateful for my friends’ cats that are also a part of the “village” — Hugo, Walter, Earl, Lulu, Beezy, Ramona, Wesley, Duncan, and Felix.

Donating to: Live Zero Waste

My Grandparents Garden

by Ryan in gratitude for his Grandma and Grandpa

I appreciate my grandparents and their beautiful garden where they grow a lot of vegetables for my whole family. Every time I visit Im amazed at how much they grow in their backyard. They grow gourds, squash, peas, beans, tomatoes, sweet potatoes, taro, ginger, chayote, daikon, lettuce, and more.

Donating to: Soul Fire Farm

A Good Man

by Joan in gratitude for her wife John

My husband and I have been married for 59 years come June. We have learned to do life together thru the Good the Bad and the Ugly. After living a lifetime with him I can say that he is a Good Man, a wonderful father and God's perfect gift to me. The world is a better place for his being in it and I am grateful for him.

Donating to: North American Traditional Indigenous Food Systems

My Sweet Irish Cousin <3

by Abby in gratitude for her cousin Sinéad

Sinéad is my cousin and best friend. She has helped me acclimate to NYC in my three years living here and has kept the Keap candles stocked to make our little apartment a home. She is always a listening ear and grounding presence in my life. I am so grateful for you every day, Sinéad. <3

Donating to: Soul Fire Farm

Fox in distress

by Mark in gratitude for his animal rescuer Amy

Amy came to rescue a fox that was trapped in our urban garden. It had broken its back legs and could not jump back out. Amy took it to a vet school for treatment.

Donating to: American Farmland Trust

Walks with my sister

by Julia in gratitude for her sister Lydia

Over the summer I went through a depressive episode. My sister was there for me for the whole time. I would sleep at her apartment, we’d go for walks, we’d cook dinner. She put her life on hold so that she could support me when I needed someone. Her love and care and openness got me through that very difficult time. She listened to me when I needed to talk, she talked at me when I needed to not think about my own life, she sat in silence with me when I needed to sleep after a restless night. I love her so much and am so grateful for what she did for me over the summer. I would love to repay the love and show her how much I appreciate her.

Donating to: Live Zero Waste

Puppy and Pumpkins

by Gabriel in gratitude for his neighbor Windham County Humane Society

Got our beautiful puppy from the Windham County Humane Society, which changed our lives and we’re so grateful that they bring so much joy to the community.

Donating to: North American Traditional Indigenous Food Systems

A thank you for our plant stand.

by Diana in gratitude for her neighborhood plant stand owner Sharon

Thanks to her plant stand, my son and I bonded over plants and gardening. This past summer, we grew a pumpkin from seeds we got at this plant stand. It was our first time doing so. My son and I watered and checked the pumpkin plant every day when this pumpkin started to grow. Our next door neighbor even helped us out with the watering. People in our neighborhood came by every day to check on the pumpkin since we inadvertently grew it in our front yard. It was an experience I’ll never forget.

Donating to: North American Traditional Indigenous Food Systems

My daughters taught me how to love

by Amanda in gratitude for her kids Isla and Georgia

My kids have been my greatest teachers. Through my relationship with them, I've learned what emotional maturity looks like, I've healed childhood wounds, and I've finally been able to view myself with love and compassion. They inspire me to continue to evolve into better and wiser versions of myself.

Donating to: Regenerative Organic Alliance

Cutest husband ever

by Anupya in gratitude for her spouse Manuel

When I was having a difficult time earlier this year due to my immigration situation, Manuel gave me this boba stress plushie. I use it all the time and it brightens up my day! I’m very grateful to him for doing small things like that to help me maintain my sanity this year!

Donating to: North American Traditional Indigenous Food Systems