What gives?

Small ways that you can make a big difference for nonprofits

Dig deep … into your garage and pockets for gardening tools and spare dollars to fund them. Parents and students from Skyview Elementary, a neighborhood school to many families living below the national poverty line, are launching a learning garden on campus, 9229 Meadowknoll. Groundbreaking is set for April 16 but they can’t grow without the right gear — gloves, shovels, trowels, rakes and the like. During the month of March, Skyview PTA president Sarah Greenman heads up a tool drive. Students and staff — as well as volunteer gardeners from the community — will utilize the equipment throughout the year. To give, contact Greenman at 805.268.5822. Follow Skyview’s Harmony Garden on social media for updates: facebook.com/skyviewharmonygarden and twitter.com/skyviewgarden

Contribute to crime control … by joining your neighborhood Volunteers in Patrol group. It starts with taking a VIP class at the Northeast Police Station, 9915 E. Northwest Highway. The next class meets from 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. March 5. Attendees should fill out an application available at dallaspolice.net/ community/volunteerProgram.html and RSVP by March 2 to katherine.robinson@ dpd.ci.dallas.tx.us. and attend the Northeast Division’s community engagement forum from 7-9 p.m. March 31 at Lake Highlands Baptist Church, 642 Brookhurst. Lake Highlands residents and business owners are encouraged to arrive at 6 p.m. for socializing and refreshments. Then an agent from the Federal Bureau of Investigations will speak to attendees about terrorism and national safety. Contacting Mitchell Gaston, 214.671.0160, to learn more about this event.

KNOW OF WAYS that neighbors can spend time, attend an event, or purchase or donate something to benefit a neighborhood nonprofit? Email your suggestion to launch@advocatemag.com.