Working the Soil: Volunteers improve raised gardens at Zane Grey
ZANESVILLE — A dreary Friday didn't damper the spirits of the volunteers during Global Youth Service Day at Zane Grey Elementary and Intermediate schools.
The event was part of an initiative by ServeOhio, the governor-appointed commission on service and volunteerism which supported 19 local Global Youth Service Day (GYSD) projects that took place between April 28 and 30. The grants ServeOhio provided funded service projects in 17 Ohio cities led by more than 1,300 volunteers.
The local project focused on several areas. One of the main purposes was having the VoAg/FFA students from Zanesville High School build inclusive gardens to allow wheelchair-bound students, as well as students and adults with physical disabilities, an opportunity to plant and care for plants.
Kathy Stilwell, one of the project coordinators along with Wilma Lawn, said the school received a $1,000 grant from ServeOhio. Volunteers and students also worked on beautifying the grounds at both buildings, as well as planting flowers, spreading mulch, weeding and decorating the garden area.
Stilwell said the raised gardens have been on the school property for two years and summer school students and the school's Garden Club maintain the site.
On Friday, around 1,000 people took part , including all Zane Grey students, who spent about 30 minutes each on the project.
"We felt this would be a good time to clean up the beds and add handicap accessibility," she said. "These gardens really benefit the kids. It provides them a different outlet, while also giving them the satisfaction of watching a seed or plant grow."
Being able to help the community was among the reasons Zanesville sophomores and VoAg students Brittany Smith and Hailee Patterson participated. Both enjoy working outdoors and understood the importance of making the gardens accessible for everyone.
"Making this wheelchair accessible means a lot because it gives everyone a chance to be involved and helps them do something they may not be able to do otherwise," Smith said. "I grew in Kentucky, and I'm used to being in the dirt and planting. We've been digging post holes and trying to level the area so it's easier to get around. It's cool I get to do this with my friends, and we're able to see something that starts as a seed grows into flowers and other plants."
Patterson is also familiar with working the land since she grew up helping around her uncle's farm. She believes this project is important to so many people because they can see the rewards of their hard work.
"I've always enjoyed working outside, and these gardens give us a sense of pride. It's special to give back and help out the school and the community," she said.
This project will be judged and could be rewarded another $1,000 grant by ServeOhio, noted Stilwell. She was pleased with everyone's assistance, despite the weather, and noted students will help maintain the site through the spring and summer.
"There are a lot of students who enjoy working in the gardens," she said. "We were able to plant some marigolds today, and we'll get some vegetables in soon. We had quite the harvest last year, and the kids really take a lot of pride in this project."
ServeOhio awarded nearly $16,000 in grants to support these projects with help from their 2022-2023 partner, American Electric Power Foundation. The 19 GYSD projects engaged Ohio youth volunteers to create or improve community assets or infrastructure. Additionally, the projects will incorporate an education component to create long-term, sustainable change on issues and with people.
bhannahs@gannett.com; @brandonhannahs
This article originally appeared on Zanesville Times Recorder: Working the Soil: Volunteers improve raised gardens at Zane Grey
