Now that warm weather has finally arrived, it’s time to get outdoors and start on those spring chores. On Saturday, May 11, Three Rivers residents are invited to participate in Three Rivers Community Pride Day. Volunteers will be busy pulling weeds, planting flowers, picking up trash, painting lamp posts, and cleaning out the ponds at Scidmore Park. Volunteers will start the day at Carnegie Center at 9 am where coffee and donuts will be served. From there, groups will be dispatched to several different locations to do the work. There is no minimum time commitment…just come and work for however long you can. If you would like more information about how to help with this project contact Melissa Bliss at 269-273-1632.
Volunteers are also needed to help at the Triple Ripple Community Garden. This project is located on about four acres of property behind the old Huss School. The fresh produce raised is shared by the volunteers who help in the garden and is also given to the local food pantries and homeless shelters. The initial clean-up of the grounds has already happened and “planting day” is scheduled for Saturday, May 11. Triple Ripple Community Garden is a project that lasts all summer and the volunteer needs are many. People who can make a weekly commitment to come for an hour to water and weed the garden would be most appreciated. Volunteers do not need to have previous gardening experience. There are tools on site and people to teach you how to do things. This can be a great family project and kids who help grow their vegetables are usually a lot more interested in eating them. Prospective volunteers are encouraged to complete the Citizen Interest Form at www.hussproject.com/programs/community-garden. For more information about how to help at Triple Ripple, call Kirstin Vander Giessen-Reitsma at 269-816-2140.
Those who have their own gardens can help in a special way too. When you’re planting, add a couple extra plants and plan to donate that extra food to the local food pantry. Most food pantries struggle to provide fresh food to their clients and donations of fresh food is always welcomed. There is a food pantry serving every community in St. Joseph County. If you don’t know how to find the one serving your area you can call 2-1-1, the information and referral number for all human services.
The American Cancer Society has Relay for Life events coming up in Sturgis on June 7 & 8 and in Three Rivers on June 21 & 22. Local businesses, churches, and clubs form teams who take turns walking around the track for the entire 24 hours of the event. There is a very special lap in which survivors of cancer walk to demonstrate their victory while being cheered on by friends and supporters. A Luminaria Ceremony is held after dark during which personalized memorials are lit in remembrance of those lost to cancer. For more information about how to participate in a local Relay for Life event or how to make a donation, call Ann Moenke at 269-349-8710.
Other programs in St. Joseph County that are looking for volunteers and would like to be included in this weekly column are encouraged to register with United Way. Contact Margaret Shultz, Volunteer Services Specialist, at 269-467-9099 or at volunteer.sjcuw@gmail.com.