Though you are reading this in mid-February, this piece was written in January, and not that far away from the holidays. Not that with so much ahead of us I'm stuck on reminiscing, but I was thinking of shopping mall development and the image of the guy ringing the bell at Christmas time popped into my mind. I think it's because I had been talking to a contractor the other day and mentioned that I had to leave early to get to a thing I do with the Salvation Army. He got this great big smile and said that he had been sober for more than 25 years thanks to the SA.

I was asked by a friend about a year and a half ago to play the drums at a meeting to feed the homeless at a Salvation Army campus. I had seen the guys ringing the bells, the thrift shops and even the scenes in "Guys and Dolls" of the street marchers with the bass drum, trumpet and singers, but had never actually been to a Salvation Army campus . . .

Over the past year or so I've come to realize the Salvation Army is one big organization and they touch the lives of many people across this land in innumerable ways.

Anyway, that got me thinking about all the work that YOU do out there across this great nation. LC/DBM has carried an "Off the Clock' column on the inside back cover for some 17 years, and its big sister, LASN, has been running "Stewardship' for almost 30 years. That's more than 500 pro bono projects that we've covered, where blood, sweat, time and/or money have been donated to myriad projects helping countless people across the land.

But that pales in comparison to the actual number of pro bono projects done across this land by the entire industry. Consider that with our magazines, e-newsletters and web traffic, we reach some 250,000 to 300,000 sets of eyes every month. Those eyes belong to members of landscape associations, who are also members of community associations, church groups and social teams. If only one in 25 of you were involved in a pro bono or charity operation, that would mean there are 10,000 of you right now giving back to the community.

Look around at the people you know in the industry. I'll bet you the number is much higher than one in 25. From what I've seen, I'd say it's a lot closer to 100 percent than it is to one in 25. That is one of the things that makes this such a great industry. Almost everywhere we look and with everyone we meet there is a story of giving back. I don't know about other industries, but there must be something about dealing with growth for a living that causes one to lend a hand. You should all be proud to be a part of this team!

So, while the holidays are past and spring lies ahead, know that you are a part of a great industry, and as the tide rises, continue to make the time to be involved with those in need . . . It's what you do . . .

P.S. We'd love to hear about pro bono projects dear to you, so please let us know by emailing LC/DBM's Larry Shield at lshield@landscapearchitect.com.

Here comes spring . . .

God Bless.

George Schmok, Publisher