VetRest

Veterans and your families: Join us this Wednesday at the Hrabal Victory Garden in Hillsboro for a wonderful evening of connection, comradery, and apple picking!

Register: https://givebutter.com/vr-2026-apple-potluck

Oregon Department of Veterans' Affairs

On a day born out of darkness, we will take time to remember the incredible light of humanity, courage, and unity that followed. We will support each other and let this day remind us how connected we are. We will allow peace to be our shared purpose.

Cedar Hills Recreation Center is a VetRest Flowers for Peace Pick-Up Location!

To learn more about their mission, visit VetRest.org.

🗓️ Pick-Up Dates (Sundays):
• July 13
• July 20
• August 3
• August 17
• August 31
• September 14
• September 28
• October 11
⏰ Time: 10:00 AM–12:00 PM

We had an amazing evening on Wednesday, August 26, harvesting Asian pears at the Hrabal Victory Garden in partnership with Joe Mud Veterans Coffee Connection! Nearly 30 Veterans and their supporters gathered for a great evening of picking pears, giving thanks, and enjoying a delicious potluck as we gathered to connect and reflect on our mission of Finding Peace from the Hidden Battle.

Be sure to join us on September 16th to harvest some delicious APPLES! It is sure to be an evening of community and connection!

https://givebutter.com/vr-2026-apple-potluck

Oregon Department of Veterans' Affairs Hrabal Farms

You know it's a great day when friends, gardening, sun, and work come together. Finding peace from the hidden battle is often accomplished in the therapeutic environment of gardens.

Fridays are for CSA subscriber bouquets! Want to get involved? Go to VetREST.org to learn more!

From one of the participants at Bybee...
"Gardening has always been one of my greatest passions. There is something deeply rewarding about planting seeds, caring for them, and watching them grow into healthy vegetables and beautiful flowers. Spending time in the garden brings me peace, keeps me connected to nature, and reminds me that patience and hard work always produce something worthwhile.

When I was younger, I loved working hard in the garden. Long days of digging, planting, weeding, and harvesting never felt like a chore because I enjoyed seeing the results of my effort. Growing my own food taught me the value of hard work, responsibility, and appreciating the simple joy of eating something I had grown with my own hands."

Don't miss our Summer Harvest this Sunday, August 16th, at Bybee Lakes Hope Center! It is sure to be a great day in the garden!

Joining is free, but we do ask that you register: https://givebutter.com/blvg-public

Helping Hands Reentry Outreach Centers Friends of Trees Portland Fruit Tree Project

Our Therapeutic Horticulture Series continued this morning at Bybee Lakes Hope Center Victory Garden where participants learned how to arrange beautiful bouquets which will be used in our Flowers For Peace Cut-Flower Program!

Our Therapeutic Horticulture Series is a program for our Veterans and vulnerable neighbors to help them find peace from the hidden battle. Our facilitated monthly activities bring together the seasonality of garden work and its' parallels to personal growth. This project is supported with a grant from the Oregon Department of Veterans' Affairs and is supported by Portland State University and The Salvation Army USA.

To learn more about our Therapeutic Horticulture Series: https://vetrest.org/therapeutic-horticulture/

To learn more about Flowers for Peace and to subscribe: https://vetrest.org/csa/

Helping Hands Reentry Outreach Centers

Happy 4th of July from all of us at VetREST! We hope you have a safe and happy holiday and are able to celebrate family, freedom, unity, and purpose! We offer our thanks to our Veterans who continue to fight for all things we hold dear.