WHY WE SUPPORT THE BEES
We Donate $1.00 to The Bee Girl Org. every time we sell a board. At the end of the year, we tally up our numbers and send the donation in honor of all of our customers and our grandchildren.
Why we support The Bee Girl?
When we decided to start our own small business we knew we wanted to support a cause that would directly impact the environment in a positive way. After all, the earth was supplying us with the resources needed to make a go of our business.
Using wood resources, it would seem natural to support a tree foundation of some kind and we considered it. Trees are also a vital part of our existence on earth and it would have been a worthy cause. It's not that we don't care or appreciate trees, because we really do. Without them we would have no business, let alone life to live. It had more to do with the effort to find something we could feel more connected to on a basic level.
I happened across The Bee Girl Organization one day after Ron suggested looking into an effort that would support bees as a way to be philanthropical through our business. I loved the idea because it was a necessity to our woodworking business. Bees helped maintain the life of our boards through their beeswax. Not to mention I had recently educated myself on beeswax and it's properties and was thoroughly impressed by all of it's wonders. We made our own Beeswax blend of board conditioner to prolong the life of our boards so I wanted to know everything there was to know about beeswax. Ron's idea made complete sense to me.
Shortly after our conversation I found the BEE GIRL ORGANIZATION and knew right away it was perfect. It was a grassroots effort that seemed closer than most to people who supported them. I didn't want to feel like I was a drop in the bucket when making a donation. I also didn't want to feel like I was just going through the motions just to say we did. I wanted to feel passionate about our reasons for doing it. This felt like a more impactful presence or at least with any hope it eventually would be. AND BEES ARE AMAZING! Inserting a quick and random reference here about beeswax: It has no shelf life. An all natural property with no shelf life. Incredible! I wont go into the details because that's another whole rabbit hole.
I'll be honest, I've only been aware of how important Bees are to our future in the last few years. Through education and awareness, I learned about their vital importance. Isn't that how it works? We don't know what we don't know until we do. That is what the BEE GIRL ORGANIZATION does. Quite frankly, it's their mission, "to educate and inspire communities to conserve bees, their flowers, and our countryside."
After making our first donation for 2023 to the BGO this year, I knew that we had made a great choice when we received an email from the Director of Operations. While filling out the necessary fields for my donation, I had an opportunity include a message and so I wrote, "we started a business last year and in honor of our grandchildren we chose to donate $1 for every board we sell to make a difference in their future. She sent a message and personal video thanking us and our choice to honor our grandchildren as we began our business. She had even looked at our boards and complimented them and wished us well. I was impressed and touched. It was very special.
There are a lot of ways to make a difference, & it can be very overwhelming and feel pointless when you think of all the problems to conquer. We wanted to do something that directly impacted the environment we live in & to contribute to a better place for my 5 grandchildren & of course all children. We wont be around to know if it made a difference but they will know we cared about their future. It may seem like a really small effort at the moment, but we have big dreams for the future and as the saying goes: "The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step". Lao Tzu
We support the bees for many reasons. Bees are an essential part of our ecosystem and play a vital role in our existence on Earth. Here are some reasons why:
- Pollination: Bees are the most important pollinators on the planet. They help pollinate over 30% of the world’s crops and 90% of wild plants 1. Without bees, many of the fruits, vegetables, and nuts we eat would not exist. This would lead to a significant decline in food production and could potentially cause food shortages.
- Biodiversity: Bees are an integral part of the ecosystem and help maintain biodiversity. They help pollinate plants that provide food and shelter for other animals, which in turn helps maintain the balance of the ecosystem 1.
- Medicinal Properties: Bees produce a variety of products such as honey, royal jelly, and propolis, which have medicinal properties. Honey has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties and is used to treat wounds and sore throats 1. Royal jelly is used to boost the immune system and improve skin health 1. Propolis has antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties and is used to treat cold sores and other skin conditions 1.
- Economic Benefits: Bees play a significant role in the economy. They help pollinate crops that are used to produce food, fiber, and other products. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the value of crops that depend on pollinators is estimated to be between $235 billion and $577 billion per year 1.
- Environmental Benefits: Bees help maintain the environment by pollinating plants that help prevent soil erosion and maintain water quality. They also help maintain the balance of the ecosystem by pollinating plants that provide food and shelter for other animals 1.
In conclusion, bees are an essential part of our ecosystem and play a vital role in our existence on Earth. We must take steps to protect them and their habitats to ensure their survival and ours.
