What’s your Turquoise Table?

At the start of each year, I ask myself how I can make a bit more of a difference in the world. But in 2025, I realize I’ve already had a head start.

Last summer, a friend of mine gave me a book called The Turquoise Table. She said it was a cute concept but didn’t elaborate much about it. I put off reading it for a while until I got into one of my “nonfiction” reading moods. Yes, my reading moods vary.

I finally read it in September and the concept wasn’t just cute to me – it was brilliant! If you’re not familiar with it, The Turquoise Table (theturquoisetable.com) is a wonderful movement happening across the country.

A bubbly lady named Kristin Schell created the idea to love her neighbors. After putting a picnic table in her front yard, she painted it turquoise and began inviting neighbors, friends, and even strangers to just hang out and enjoy each other’s company.

You can find Turquoise Tables all around the United States AND in 13 countries. As you’ll see on their site, the tables are a symbol of hospitality, a safe place to sit down and connect.

I fell in love with the concept, but I also had to remember my limits. I work full-time running a fundraising consulting business along with my partners. I’m also working on books, and of course, columns on the side. What kind of table could I create?

And then one day, while walking my dogs (this always seems to be the time God gives me ideas) I remembered that our house is right at one of our neighborhood bus stops. I tell the kids every year to stand on our front porch if it rains or snows.

What if I bought a little table and put it on our porch with goodies they can enjoy every Friday? I could call it “Fun Bus Stop Friday.”

When I shared my idea with my husband John, he said, “Be careful … you don’t want the parents thinking you’re the creepy stranger luring kids to our house.” I talked to the parents to tell them about my idea so they knew nothing untoward was going on.

I bought a little table from Ace Hardware and began setting out treats for the kids each Friday along with a Fun Bus Stop Friday sign. I noticed that sometimes, every treat was gone … other times, only half were gone. I didn’t hear anything from any families, but that was okay. It was just fun knowing that the kids had something to look forward to each week.

A couple of weeks ago, I was out in my yard scooping poop. (Remember the dogs I walk?) Once I was done, I saw the Granger family coming towards me. I grinned and was thrilled to see them. It’s been fun watching their children grow up over the years.

Imagine my shock when they presented a plate full of cookies to me.

“We wanted to give these to you to thank you for all the treats. The kids love them.” I smiled, chatted with them for a while, and accepted the cookies gratefully. Then I came into my house and wiped away tears. It made me happy to know that my little Turquoise Table was indeed making a difference.

What can you do in 2025 to make more of a difference in your own neighborhood? Take a walk and see what God or the Universe tells you. Think over your gifts and talents, but keep in mind your limits.

And heck, feel free to steal my idea … you just might make Fridays a little brighter for your neighborhood families.

Amy Shankland is a writer and fundraising professional living in Noblesville with her husband John, two sons, two dogs, and a cat. You can reach her via email at amys@greenavenue.info.