A few months ago, I found some interesting information about my favorite scissor manufacturer, Fiskars. I didn’t know that they also made gardening tools and were very involved in a project called, Project Orange Thumb which offers grants to communities. Communities then use the grant money to develop their own special community gardens. There have been so many improvements made because of this project. Not only are communities improved physically with a Fiskars Garden, but people get to know each other through the projects and form a bond. These bonds make a community strong enough to keep out the problems plaguing our schools and other organizations.

Since 2003, Fiskars has awarded the Project Orange Thumb Grant to over 10 groups across the US to help develop and build community garden spaces that promote community involvement, creativity, and sustainable gardening by providing garden tools & accessories and financing to purchase green garden goods.

I was excited to see that they have listed the winners for 2008. You really should check out the website to see all of the beautiful winning projects. The picture above is only part of the group from the Benton County first rain garden project in Bentonville, Arkansas. I loved the sense of creativity and self-expression that was captured in each photograph. Their projects make me want to get out and doing something great in my own community. Community beautification and involvement is something of which we all should be a part. The rewards go beyond self satisfaction. Doing this as a family and a community brings a bond and memories that will last a lifetime.