MANSFIELD — The local military personnel do more than serve and protect our nation–as if that wasn’t already enough.
They participate in community service projects, too. You might have seen them out and about on Thursday, when approximately 75 members of the 179th Airlift Wing and 200th RED HORSE Squadron Det. 1 assisted with a variety of projects at over 10 sites within Richland County.
Staff Sgt. Josh Reiss with 200th RED HORSE Squadron said it’s an opportunity for them to give back.
“We like to help out in the community as much as possible,” he said.
Reiss was joined by six other members of the squadron at Mansfield Memorial Homes on Blymyer Avenue, where they rebuilt a garden that was in need of repair.
The Rotary Adult Daycare Center participants, as well as residents of the Robert Sturges Memorial Home Apartments and Mansfield Memorial Homes Nursing Center, will each have access to the garden.
“We try to make the area as home-like as possible,” said Karla Hale, director of the Mansfield Rotary Adult Daycare Center. “Many of these people had gardens of their own, so we hope to help them feel like they’re at home.”
The gardening project was coordinated by the North End Community Improvement Collaborative.
Dan Miller, CEO of Mansfield Memorial Homes, was thankful for NECIC’s partnership. “This wouldn’t have happened without their help,” he said.
The project was funded in part by a community garden grant from NECIC in the amount of $300. The Project Orange Thumb Grant provided rakes, shovels and other equipment for a total value of $1,500 and a $2,000 gift card to be used on plants, soil, mulch or wood. Also, Getz Builders, Inc. and Dave Speck provided equipment for the project.
NECIC coordinated three other gardening projects on Thursday at Western Elementary School in Lexington, Julia Underhill Park and Richland Newhope Industries.
NECIC has partnered with local military personnel for the past six years on community garden projects.
“Over the years, they’ve helped build more than 20 gardens,” said Jean Taddie of NECIC.
Rochelle Jones of NECIC noted that many community partners help make each of the projects a success. Supplies were provided by Arnold’s Landscaping, Wayne’s Country Market and Home Depot, and food was provided by Penn Station Subs, Leaning Tower of Pizza and the Blust Avenue Teaching Garden.
“It’s a community event,” Jones said.
