Some people need to be led, and others blaze their own trail—planting seeds along the way!
This is exactly what USANA Pinnacle League Member and Diamond Director Deanna Waters has done since the Garden Tower initiative launched. Deanna understood the vision and recognized that while the USANA Foundation’s mission is to feed hungry families worldwide, she saw a need—in her own city of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. She decided to take action.
“It all started during a Saturday morning gathering at the Akin’s Business Centre, where Deputy Mayor of Winnipeg Markus Chambers was speaking,” says Deanna, a USANA Foundation Chairman’s Club Member. “He was so inspiring that I told him about the success of the USANA Foundation’s 40,000 Garden Towers growing in 14 countries around the world. I wondered how to bring them to Winnipeg.”
“‘Oh, we need those in Winnipeg! We need to call a meeting!’” Deanna recalls the mayor saying.
Susanne Williams, the manager at Akin’s, also saw the vision and worked on who to invite. The response at the first meeting was so positive that Mayor Chambers set up another meeting at city hall where they could conduct an online meeting with officials at the USANA Foundation.
A pilot project for Canada was born at that meeting. Michelle Benedict, director of global programs at the Foundation, then took over to work with the local non-profit organizations Women’s Empowerment Outreach and Harvest Manitoba, who were ready to take on the project. The Foundation’s pilot program includes a grant to cover the towers, supplies, plants, soil, and instruction and support as the project progresses.
It’s amazing how others catch on when one person has a vision.
Ray DuBois at the Ron Paul Garden Centre said they could provide free soil and delivery to each Garden Tower site. How generous—even without knowing how many towers they would have!
Cindy Gilroy, the City Councillor for the West End in the city, was determined to bring the towers to her area—and 35 towers were planned!
Meanwhile, Deanna had contacted one of the main non-profits in the city, Harvest Manitoba, that provides food to needy families. They committed to five towers. And several other agencies expressed interest as well.
“While most Garden Tower pilot projects are 10–25 towers, the community spirit in the city inspired the Foundation to approve 40 towers,” Deanna says. “So now we’re watering the towers as we wait to provide free produce to those in need.”
We are so proud of Deanna’s work and the many people she’s inspired to make a difference. Our team is excited to see how many others in Canada will catch the Garden Tower bug. Every little bit we do together changes lives—one family at a time!
Click here if you’d like to donate and help us support more projects like this one.
