Happy Thanksgiving

When we first launched The Fountain, it was an idea: a place to share stories, lessons, and reflections that could pour into others the way mentors, friends, and family have poured into Ria and I.

What’s happened since then has been better than I imagined. This little community has grown to nearly 1000 subscribers, event attendees, a modest social media following, and more!

More importantly, it’s become something alive. You’ve replied, shared, and even pitched ideas. You’ve told us what’s resonated, what you want more of, and where you think the Fountain should go. That energy has shaped this more than anything I could write alone.

This week, with Canadian Thanksgiving here, it feels right to slow down and put gratitude at the center.

Enjoy :)

⏳️ Estimated Read Time: 5.5 minutes (of packed jewels)

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It’s hard to be pissed off when you’re grateful.
It’s hard to stay stuck when you start naming what’s good.

Everyday I try and give thanks for my family, for an open mind and the future, for the basics we all too often forget: clean water, fresh air, a roof overhead. Abundance to help others. Gratitude is a big part of my Philosophy.

Ria reminds us constantly that when you’re in a rut or when life feels heavy, a great reset is to give.

True generosity doesn’t ask for anything in return. You don’t give to get. But what always happens — without fail — is that giving shifts you. It realigns your perspective. It reminds you that you already have more than enough.

Thanksgiving is also about the table. The people gathered around it. The mix of stories, traditions, and support.

That’s also what The Fountain is. A table for founders, leaders, and dreamers. A place where lessons get shared, courage is sparked, and nobody has to feel like they’re figuring it out alone.

In business, those “tables” matter too: mentors, partners, vendors, teammates. If you’re building something, give thanks for the people who make the journey less lonely.

And if you’ve ever wondered if your presence here matters, it does.

The Fountain doesn’t exist without you reading, sharing, and bringing your own perspective. That’s why our newsletter has "Trent Kitsch and Friends” at the bottom of our logo, that’s why we’ve thrown events, it’s why we always reply to all our emails.

Ria and I try to practice this with our kids. Many nights, we hold hands, pray, and take turns giving thanks. Sometimes they go first it. Sometimes they want us to go first.

What’s amazing is hearing what they come up with: little things I would have overlooked that suddenly remind me of how much we have from another perspective of what’s important. Those moments are amazing little dry tear comments with a little hand squeeze.

Sometimes I think about gratitude in the bigger picture.

There’s an infographic I love that shows the timeline of Earth. Human life is just a sliver of a hair. And within that sliver, we’re living in the rare moment of history where we have clean water, heating, hot showers, and the internet. Out of all the thousands of years, we’re alive in this tiny window of abundance. That’s something to give thanks for too.

When you feel the urge to give, I understand it’s not that easy. If you’re wondering how to start, here are eight ways almost anyone could practice generosity today:

Generosity is less about scale and more about spirit. Sometimes it’s five dollars. Sometimes it’s five minutes. Either way, it counts.

So here’s to you: for reading, for supporting, and for being part of this early chapter of The Fountain.

Here’s to gratitude that grounds us.
Here’s to generosity that connects us.
Here’s to gatherings that remind us we’re not alone.

Thank you for being here.
Thank you for bringing others here.
And thank you for letting us pour into your week.

Happy Thanksgiving,

Trent & Ria

Where we gave this Thanksgiving.

As part of Thanksgiving, we’re donating to nine organizations. Some came from your replies to last week’s newsletter and some through our Instagram!

We’ll also highlight a few of these organizations in upcoming editions so you can get to know them too. Thank you for all the submissions!

Helen’s Acres Community Farm
A 24-acre vegetable farm in Kelowna, BC, run in partnership with volunteers. Its mission is to plant, grow, and harvest fresh produce and donate it directly to social agencies in the community, while educating people about food systems and food security.

Chefs in the Classroom
A hands-on edible education initiative in the Okanagan that brings local chefs, gardeners, nutritionists, and volunteers into Grade 3 classrooms. It teaches students how to grow, prepare, and appreciate nutritious, locally sourced food.

Venice Family Clinic
A community health center in Los Angeles offering integrated health care, early childhood development, mental health services, and community wellness programs. The clinic also addresses social determinants of health by providing food access, housing referrals, and outreach services.

Safe Place for Youth (LA)
An organization in Los Angeles supporting youth experiencing or at risk of homelessness. They provide drop-in services, housing, case management, health & wellness services (including onsite clinics through a partnership with Venice Family Clinic), educational support, and advocacy.

My Friend Dave YYC
Helping Marginalized Men Share Their Story Through Creative Expression, based in Calgary, AB.

CO Foodbank
A food bank serving the Central Okanagan, providing food hampers, emergency food support, and community assistance to individuals and families in need.

Kelowna Women’s Shelter
Operated by the Central Okanagan Emergency Shelter Society, this organization offers emergency & transitional housing, outreach support, second-stage housing, and educational and advocacy services to women and children escaping abuse. Their mission is to help women and children live in safe and equitable communities free from abuse.

Mamas for Mamas
A national organization (based in Kelowna) that supports mothers and caregivers facing hardship — providing material help, mentorship, and resources to help them stabilize their lives.

Childhood Connections
Childhood Connections supports early learning, childcare, and family development and is based in Kelowna, BC.

SHOUTOUTS:

Thanks to all of our Friends of the Fountain who have given their time to be on the newsletter!

If you want to write a guest spot, be a guest, or a sponsor for the newsletter please reach out (reply to this email!!)