Dennis Blank: Helps Revitalize His HomeTown

So much talent and goodwill exists in this country that when tragedy strikes, people from all walks of life come forward to contribute their time and their money. But why does there have to be a devastating event like a hurricane for a community to be roused to rehabilitation? It's not just our nation's infrastructure that is in need of attention. Towns and cities of all shapes and sizes are ripe for renewal and repair and with little to no help coming from the government, people are turning to their neighbors to kick start change. One story of revitalization is Warren, Ohio and you can help make a difference for this community by voting for the Trumbull Neighborhood Partnership to win $10K from Tom's of Maine. Tom's is running a contest on their Facebook page, offering $10K to the 15 most inspiring nonprofit organizations. Organizations like Warren Expressed are the force behind projects aimed at bringing the town back to life and individuals like Dennis Blank, who is the founder and publisher of Warren Expressed, are working hard to build a community of people with a shared interest in shaping the future of their hometown. Blank is also one of the organizers of Gregg's Gardens, which is an effort that reclaims empty lots and transforms them into spaces for planting wildflowers. The idea for the gardens has gained support from individuals, like the mayor and organizations like the Trumbull Neighborhood Partnership, which creates the gardens and other community service groups, which help maintain the gardens. The gardens are named after Gregg Snyder who was a Warren resident interested in the town's revitalization efforts who was unfortunately killed in a collision with an automobile. The gardens honor his memory, but they also exist as a way for the residents of Warren to beautify the downtown and personally reap the rewards of making a difference. You can support the effort to revitalize Warren, Ohio by voting for the Trumbull Neighborhood Partnership to win $10K from Tom's of Maine. Tom's is offering $10K to the nonprofit finalists who get the most votes. Once you get to Tom's Facebook page, click on the U.S. map and then click on Ohio. You can vote once a day until October 15th. Thanks to Dennis Blank and organizations like Warren Expressed and The Trumbull Neighborhood Partnership, Warren’s oldest neighborhood is getting a face lift using fresh food, public art, environmentally-friendly landscaping and bold colors. It's a model worth watching, watering, replanting and repeating! Do you know someone who encourages people to come together to make positive change in the community? Nominate them for next week's AmericanTown's Heroes.