It’s hard to believe yet another season is passing. How is it that September is already right around the corner? With the start of school and routines getting back into full swing, it feels as though the heat of summer is already giving way to the cooler temperatures of fall (even if we might be dealing with 90-degree weather for a couple more weeks).

As we look through all that’s happened at CLI this summer, we can’t help but feel grateful. This season, we have been lucky to be on the receiving end of some amazing acts of kindness. We’ve had dedicated groups of volunteers come to take care of landscaping and painting work at our houses in scorching heat — all the while smiling and thanking us for the opportunity to help out. We’ve had a different group come out to provide an annual pizza party for some of the people we serve — complete with dessert and drinks — and watched as they kindly and generously offered to do all the serving themselves. We’ve had wonderful Frederick businesses go above and beyond to support our fundraising endeavors — proving that working together is the best way to further any organization’s mission.

We are so thankful to be a part of such a giving community. We appreciate every act of giving we have received, and we really can’t thank you — all of you — enough.

But as we contemplate all that’s happened this summer, we can’t help but feel not just grateful for what’s happened, but hopeful for the future. The summer brought so much for CLI, from wonderful volunteers to successful outreach events. And with fall fast approaching, we can’t wait to get out in the community even more with events ranging from fair appearances to our semi-annual bingo.

With the changing of the seasons comes the chance for new opportunities, new connections, and new partnerships. We can’t wait to see what the future holds in store!