Melinda Chandos

It's been good to have this challenge--I met new neighbors but it also spurred me to say hi to the people I've been seeing around a lot lately. Good stuff!  And with a couple community events on my calendar and now being signed up for a litter-pickup group in the area, I'd say it's a lasting impact for the good.

I realized I could combine efforts with a neighbor I met earlier in the challenge and ask to onboard them for a service project I am working on.  It helps my cause, but will also gain exposure for his business--win-win!

Yesterday I posted/shared a community event for fire station open house, then when we attended I got to chatting with some of the staff and guests there and someone mentioned they came because I shared the event!  That felt pretty cool, knowing my "reach" is bigger than I assumed.

I met a nice mom named Barb who seemed really interested in the litter group I just discovered--her son is the same age as my daughter so we might "make a date" for one of the next cleanups!

I found an organization in my area, spearheaded by a local SAHmom just like me, that focuses on litter-cleanup and awareness of improved trash disposal.  I added myself to watch out for cleanup events.  I like finding actions my daughter can do with me, having her see adults and other kids working together really "sinks in" the message that it's important for everybody to pitch in.

Hey cool to earn the Chinook Book! Got to use it today at Salt+Straw and knowing all the CB participants are vetted to be sustainable, makes this prize all the more valuable!

I committed myself to two community meetings about the future of our neighborhood, and reached out to my landlord to see if we could provide additional resources to prevent a lot of the furniture disposal I see in our dumpsters (it will save them $$ too if we can get individuals to upcycle!). 

As a Stay-at-Home parent for the first time, I encounter new people all the time.  However, my being an introvert often hinders me from making the effort to actually connect.  I'd like to actually say hello instead of just a quick nod, and maybe even coordinate to help in a really tangible way within my immediate neighborhood.