Showing Up Matters
Recently, I attended a Veterans resource event at the
Heartland Preparedness Center, (Kansas National Guard) in Wichita, KS.
This wasn’t about promotion.
It wasn’t about visibility.
It was about presence, awareness, and connection.
From the opening moments with the color guard, the atmosphere carried a deep sense of honor and purpose, reminding everyone in the room why these events are so important.
More Than an Event A Network of Support
What stood out immediately was the level of support available.
There were at least 10 Veterans Service Representatives on site, working directly with Veterans to:
- File VA disability claims
- Provide guidance on state and federal benefits
- Assist surviving spouses with available resources
In addition, multiple organizations and programs were present, each focused on supporting Veterans and their families in different ways.
This wasn’t just information being shared.
This was real time access to help.
The Gap Between Resources and Awareness
Here’s the reality:
Resources exist.
Support systems exist.
But too often, awareness is the missing link.
As I moved through the room, listening, observing, and engaging in conversations I was reminded of something important:
Access to resources only works if people know they exist,
and feel supported enough to use them.
That’s where events like this make a difference.
They bring everything into one place.
They create space for questions.
They open doors.
Why This Work Is Personal
This mission is not theoretical for me.
There was a moment that changed everything,
when I saw active duty soldiers, in uniform, standing in line at a food pantry.
That moment never left me.
It’s one of the reasons I founded the Sustainable Gardens 365 Movement
It’s one of the reasons I founded the Sustainable Gardens 365 Movement—to help create pathways to self-reliance, starting with something as essential as food.
And being present at this event reinforced that same truth:
Service doesn’t end when the uniform comes off.
Support shouldn’t either.
Connecting the Dots: Awareness to Action
While my work focuses on soil-less indoor gardening and food access, the connection is clear:
- Access to food
- Access to benefits
- Access to resources
It all begins with awareness.
Events like this are where awareness turns into action.
Where questions get answered.
Where confusion becomes clarity.
Where connection becomes support.
What Comes Next
This wasn’t a one time experience.
It’s part of a larger commitment to:
- Stay connected within Veteran and community support networks
- Continue showing up in spaces that matter
- Help bridge awareness to practical, everyday solutions
Because real change doesn’t happen in isolation.
It happens through connection, education, and consistent presence.
Final Thoughts
I’m grateful for every conversation, every connection, and every opportunity to listen.
Because sometimes the most impactful thing you can do…
is simply show up.
Start Here
If you’re exploring ways to become more self-reliant and grow your own fresh food indoors, no soil required you can begin here:
👉 Start Here: Free Introductory Guide to Soil-Less Indoor Gardening
https://sg365m.com/starthere
About the Author
Sharon Leigh is the Founder of the Sustainable Gardens 365 Movement and a Soil-Less Indoor Garden Consultant & Coach.
Her mission is to help individuals, families, and communities, especially Veterans, grow fresh, healthy food indoors year-round using simple, accessible systems.