Dear Friends,
I spied a squirrel burying an acorn during my morning walk yesterday. The way its delicate paws patted soil on top of the buried treasure was enchanting. It seemed an almost tender, hopeful gesture. A gesture that feels familiar to us here at Boxerwood.
For many months now, Boxerwood has also been gathering and tending its acorns. Amidst the pandemic, we have been writing grants, forging new partnerships, and imagining new possibilities even in bleak times. The goal of those actions hasn’t been just to tide us over. We want to do what we can to help meet community needs both now and in the still hazy “next normal.”
The acorns promise a brighter future even as winter approaches: new awards, new programs, new partnerships -- new energy and vision. There will be more to come in the months ahead, but for now, may news of our just-received AmeriCorps planning grant encourage you, may reflections from a stealth Boxerwood artist inspire you, and may the story of growing afterschool partnership delight you.
And if that’s not enough, we have more exciting news. We’ve created an interim position to help us launch several emerging projects. As you may know, family considerations have kept me working remotely from Arizona. Going into 2021, I will continue to serve as executive director with additional locally-based support from our new part-time managing director, Karen Stanley. A business owner, forester, and former BEA board member, Karen brings a wealth of experience, skills, and knowledge to this six-month position. She’s just who we need to help us tend and grow our acorns. Welcome, Karen!
Holiday well-wishes,
Catrien
