How Two Mercer Islanders Found Each Other to “GROW FURTHER” AFTER A NATIONWIDE SEARCH, ISLAND RESIDENT PETER KELLY FOUND AN ALLY IN THE BATTLE FOR BETTER GLOBAL FOOD SECURITY JUST DOWN THE ROAD. BY NATHANIAL GRONEWOLD W hen Peter Kelly feels like burning off some extra calories, or just steam, he’ll occasionally head out from his downtown Mercer Island apartment over to Luther Burbank Park on the island’s northeast shore to jog and soak up some of that Pacific Northwest air. Lately, Peter says this routine of his is no longer simply for exercise or a nice way to spend his free time. His jogs at the park are lately becoming a ritual celebration of all that he’s accomplished. “I will run down to the bottom of the ravine and back when I’ve got extra energy to burn off when I’m excited about the progress at Grow 14 April 2024 Further,” he said, referring to the nonprofit he founded in Seattle in 2018. Jennifer Dine often finds herself in a similar celebratory mood while enjoying the island’s great outdoors, only on the opposite shore. Perhaps we’ll spot her paddle boarding off Proctor Landing or swimming with her kids at Slater Park. Or Jen will occasionally head down to Pioneer Park for a walk for some time to contemplate all that she’s achieved at Grow Further since she joined up with Peter as the organization’s Membership Director about a year ago. “I’ll try to make it there once a day to refresh and enjoy with my dog,” she said. Jen also very much enjoys the fact that the community she calls home is surrounded by Lake Washington. “I live on a busy road, but can see the lake and walk down to it quickly, which I love.” Both Mercer Island residents, Jennifer Dine and Peter Kelly live just minutes from one another but only found each other after Peter conducted a nationwide search to expand Grow Further’s core management team. He cast as wide a net as possible to locate someone with the skill sets necessary to expand Grow Further’s core membership and donor base. He also needed a manager able and willing to encourage Grow Further members to
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