Growing Beyond Summer
Somehow, two months have passed since our last blog post.
Apparently when you're busy doing Heartsmith, occasionally you forget you're also supposed to write about Heartsmith. 😂
We've already shared the story of our 2026 Summer Enrichment Program, but there is one piece of it that has continued to stick with us: Family Day.
On the final day, parents, grandparents, siblings, uncles, staff, and kids gathered at the homestead for food, music, games, and an afternoon together. It wasn't elaborate—and maybe that's exactly why we loved it so much.
It felt like community.
And it got us thinking: we want more days like that at Heartsmith.
Showing Up—and Inviting People In
We've spent the last couple of years finding different ways to be present in our community, and we're still learning where Heartsmith fits best.
In August, we joined Mayhem at the Mall, supporting our friends at Passion for Vets. We brought snow cones and spritzes, shared Heartsmith with visitors, and Huggy kept everyone entertained as DJ. Passion for Vets also has a Soup Fundraiser coming up September 25 from noon–4 PM, and we're happy to continue supporting an organization doing good things for local veterans.
We love showing up for others.
But Family Day reminded us how much we also love inviting people here.
We have a beautiful property, and we're beginning to imagine more ways to share it—family activities, seasonal gatherings, campfires, shared meals, workshops, collaborations with other community organizations, or simply an excuse for neighbors to spend an afternoon together.
What's Next?
We're still figuring that out.
And actually, we're becoming more comfortable saying that.
Growing Heartsmith doesn't have to mean constantly adding bigger programs, more fundraisers, or more things to the calendar. Sometimes it means recognizing what feels meaningful and making more room for it.
We want Heartsmith to be a place where people can learn, grow, play, contribute, and connect—whether that's a child discovering something new, an organization sharing resources, a neighbor teaching a skill, a volunteer lending a hand, or two families meeting over a plate of food.
So as summer turns into fall, that's where our minds are.
A little less “What else can we do?”
And a little more “How can we bring people together?”
We have some ideas.
We'll keep you posted. 🍂💜
Learn • Grow • Play — Together.
