💌 LOCAL WINS — Small Acts, Big Impact

Hi friend,

Every month, we celebrate real people doing real good — small gestures that make big waves in their communities. Because sometimes, the stories that don’t make headlines are the ones that restore our faith in each other.

📚 1. The Book Brigade That Moved a Bookstore

In Chelsea, Michigan, about 300 residents formed a human chain to help their local bookstore, Serendipity Books, move to its new location. Together, they passed nearly 9,100 books hand-to-hand — finishing in just a few hours.

No one got paid. No one asked for recognition. It was just neighbors helping neighbors — proving that when everyone lifts a little, the load feels lighter.

A perfect reminder: community thrives when everyone shows up, even just to pass a book.

💵 2. A Veteran’s Struggle Turns into a Movement

In New Hampshire, a pawnshop employee noticed a 91-year-old veteran selling his late wife’s jewelry to make rent. Instead of turning away, she gave him $1,300 of her own money.

Her kindness — filmed quietly by a coworker — went viral. Within days, donations poured in from around the world, totaling nearly $450,000.

This story reminds us that you don’t need a foundation or a following to make an impact. You just need to notice someone who needs help — and care enough to act.

🌟 Bonus Recipe: Bringing Flavor to the Community

This month, we’re spotlighting a local company that’s stirring up something special — Brookside Flavors & Ingredients, based right in Addison, Illinois.

Brookside’s team of flavor innovators crafts the taste foundations behind countless comfort foods, beverages, and baked goods. But what they’re really doing is helping people connect through flavor — creating the shared tastes that remind us of home, togetherness, and joy.

🍲 Recipe of the Month: Community Creamy Tomato Soup

A cozy, flavor-forward dish inspired by Brookside’s culinary creativity. Perfect for sharing — and even better when delivered to a neighbor who could use a warm meal.

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• 1 small onion, chopped

• 2 garlic cloves, minced

• 1 tbsp tomato paste

• 1 (28-oz) can crushed tomatoes

• 2 cups vegetable or chicken stock

• ½ cup cream (or coconut milk for dairy-free)

• Salt and pepper to taste

• Optional: smoked paprika or chipotle for that Brookside-style smoky twist

Directions

1. Sauté onion and garlic in olive oil until soft.

2. Stir in tomato paste and cook for 1 minute.

3. Add crushed tomatoes and stock; simmer 15 minutes.

4. Blend until smooth, then stir in cream.

5. Season and top with a sprinkle of smoked paprika.

🌿 Flavor Fun Fact

Brookside Flavors’ team of food scientists use sensory panels to recreate the nuances of real cooking — from wood-fired smoke to creamy dairy notes. Their mission: make authentic taste experiences accessible to everyone.

🧡 Your Turn

Know a neighbor, teacher, or small business doing good things locally? Hit reply and share their story. We might feature them next month — and together, we’ll keep celebrating the wins that make our towns stronger and sweeter.

Until next time,
-Ari