(and yes… we’re playing Four Truths + One Lie in the comments — but I’m not telling you which is which 😄🤫) Before Smokey, a lot of people treated wildfires like “just nature doing nature things.” 🌩️🔥 But communities were getting hammered — homes lost 🏠💔, forests wiped out 🌲➡️🪵, wildlife displaced 🦌😢, smoky air choking towns 🌫️, and firefighters risking everything 🚒🧑‍🚒. So in the 1940s, Smokey Bear became America’s friendly (but serious) reminder that most wildfires are started by people — and that means people can prevent them. 🙌🔥 Not with fear… but with awareness, simple habits, and a shared sense of responsibility. 🤝🌎 Why Smokey mattered (and still does) 🌟 ✅ He made fire prevention memorable — one mascot, one message, everywhere 📻📺📰 ✅ He taught generations what “smart outdoors” looks like 🏕️✅ ✅ He helped communities protect what they love — trails, parks, cabins, backyards, livelihoods 🌲🏞️🏡 ✅ He turned prevention into something we do together — not “someone else’s job” 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦🤝 Smokey isn’t just a bear… he’s basically the OG “upstander” for the outdoors. 🛡️🌲🔥 A little bit of wisdom. A little bit of sass. A whole lot of impact. 😄🐾 🎮 GAME TIME: Four Truths + One Lie I’m dropping 5 Smokey facts below. 👉 Only one is the lie. Comment 1–5 with your guess… and why! 🕵️‍♂️💬 Ready? 🔥👇

This morning, I was having a profound conversation with a group of guys… the discussion is always lively and full of positive energy! It has a rhythm of its own and when things need to get serious they get serious in a hurry. What came from that conversation: We all have a past. A past complete with good and bad memories. Some even unbearably painful. BUT, those experiences don’t have to define who we are today. We have the choice to use those memories in two ways: Impact positive changes in our own lives and use those lessons to help others avoid the same circumstances OR Rinse and repeat those in our own mind over and over until they consume our being and convince us we are a victim of circumstance. I choose door number one

If you’re new, I want you to hear this first: you belong here.This community exists because kids deserve safety, connection, and hope — and because the adults who care about them deserve real tools, not just good intentions. A quick bit about me: I’m a husband, a dad, and the co-founder of Heroes In Waiting. After losing our son, Susan and I made a commitment that we wouldn’t stand by and do nothing. We built HIW to help schools, families, and youth leaders create a culture where kindness is strength, where labels don’t define kids, and where help is always available. Inside this community you’ll find practical resources — our free 12-lesson curriculum, ideas you can use immediately, and a place to learn from others who are doing the work. Now I’d love to meet you. Drop a comment below and introduce yourself to the HIW Crew. - Your name - Your role (student / parent / educator / coach / youth leader) - What brought you here — and what you’re hoping changes We’re grateful you’re here. Let’s build belonging together — one brave step at a time.

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