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Continued from Page 3 Native plants form the backbone of local ecosystems. They support pollinators, provide food for birds, and improve soil and water health. Unlike non-native ornamentals, they thrive in local conditions without excessive fertilizers or pesticides. By encouraging congregations to replace lawns or exotic landscaping with native species, Sacred Grounds is creating small but vital patches of restored habitat across urban and suburban areas. Piece by piece, these patches connect into larger networks, helping wildlife survive and ecosystems fl ourish. Sacred Grounds Toledo was cofounded by Hal Mann and Marilyn Dufour, who saw the potential for a grassroots movement to fl ourish. The two quickly drew in a network of volunteers and leaders, including Tiffany Jones, to help carry the mission forward. The team understood early on that certifi cation alone would not be enough. Some congregations had land but limited resources. Others wanted to participate but didn’t know where to start. The Toledo project responded by creating a native plant sharing group, which directs communities to grants, connects them with experts, and distributes plants to those with little or no budget. “It’s really about sharing,” Mann emphasized. “Sharing knowledge, resources, and plants so that everyone can take part.” Perhaps the most remarkable outcome of Sacred Grounds Toledo is the way it weaves together people. A church in Toledo might share plants with a synagogue in Ann Arbor. A mosque in Detroit might swap seeds with a congregation in Cleveland. Through these exchanges, communities are not only rebuilding habitat but also forming relationships across geography and faith. Pilot Jason Smoker (middle) with Ada, and Ida Sacred Grounds also demonstrates that environmental care doesn’t need to be expensive. By pooling resources and working collaboratively, even small congregations with limited funds can transform their grounds into thriving ecosystems. Sacred Grounds Toledo continues to expand, with new communities signing on each year. Its digital presence— sacredgroundstoledo.org and the Sacred Grounds Toledo Facebook page— helps spread awareness and connect volunteers. FREE ART #ADAMsARTDROP What started as a moment of inspiration from a fi lmmaker’s lens has blossomed into a regional model for ecological and spiritual renewal. Sacred Grounds Toledo proves that when faith communities join forces, they can do more than beautify their grounds. They can become leaders in conservation, stewards of creation, and partners in healing the land we all share. “In the end,” Mann refl ected, “this isn’t just about plants. It’s about hope; hope that we can care for our earth together, and leave it better than we found it.” UNITING ARTISTS SINCE 2021 Page 4 Angels in the Sky: Lifeline Pilots Offer Flights to Patients in Need Interview by Ed Conn Written by Karen Gerhardinger Accessing specialty medical care can be a challenge for those who live in rural areas. Thanks to a team of volunteer pilots, those who live in the Great Lakes and Midwest areas can get the care they need. “LifeLine Pilots fl ies patients from rural areas directly to destination cities of specialty hospitals, including Cleveland Clinic, Mayo Clinic and MD Anderson - at no cost to the patients,” said volunteer Phil Ellis. “In my 34 years in healthcare, I’ve seen no organization offering such a remarkable and game changing service. I was delighted when they invited me to join their team.” Ellis, now a Maumee resident, describes how pilots pick up passengers in their local communities and fl y them to their destination and back home, usually for multiple appointments. “It is all made possible by volunteer pilots who donate their time and resources, as well as an incredible administrative team,” he said. Founded in 1981 by Wanda Whitsitt of Illinois, LifeLine Pilots’ mission is to coordinate free air transportation for passengers with medical and humanitarian needs. What began as a small group in Illinois has grown to hundreds of FAA-certifi ed pilots who volunteer to donate 100 percent of fl ight expenses. “I strongly believe that every person should have equal access to medical care,” Ellis said. He describes how one patient, who was battling cancer, was fl own to Houston over 160 times. “Imagine the cost of 160 round trip commercial fl ights, plus the physical and emotional burden of air travel, which would have involved connecting fl ights at major airports,” Ellis explained. “Our pilots picked her up at her local rural airport, fl ew her to Houston for treatment and brought her home – all at no cost. That is why I am so proud to be associated with this outstanding organization.” The core values of LifeLine Pilots include safety, collaboration, continuous improvement, quality service, respectfulness and stewardship, but safety is always No. 1. All pilots have a minimum of 250 hours of fl ight command, have successfully completed the AOPA Public Benefi t Flying Course and have a certifi cate of completion from the FAA regarding fl ight status and LOCATED AT CORNER OF adams and 16th STREETs

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