Countywide Family Volunteer Day to Create Community Garden

The following was submitted to Patch by the Volunteer Center of Bergen County.

Bergen County families are needed to dig in and help create a community garden in Fair Lawn. This is a community service project with long-lasting impact, as all produce from the garden will help feed hungry families in Bergen County.

The Volunteer Center of Bergen County’s first ever Family Volunteer Day will be held on Saturday, April 12 from 9 am to 3 pm, at  Bergen Community College, the MEVO (Mahwah Environmental Volunteers Organization) Gardens just past Ender Hall and the Child Development Center on the right.  

This project is one of the Volunteer Center’s activities to recognize National Volunteer Week, April 6-12.

Dedicated families will be prepping soil, repairing and preparing bee hives, building raised beds, preparing mulch and more to get this one-acre farm ready for planting.   

Families can also feel good about knowing that this fresh produce they are helping to grow will be used to feed hungry neighbors served by our local food pantries and centers.

“Volunteering strengthens family relationships and teaches kids such values as kindness, empathy and respect for others. More importantly, it teaches them that happiness is not dependent on what we have,” Debbie Emery, Community Volunteer Services Director for the Volunteer Center, said.  

“You and your family can give your time and talent to those in need and show your kids that you as a family value community service.”

The registration fee is $5 per person for participants age 3 and up, and includes lunch, snacks, project leadership by MEVO’s staff and volunteers, kid-friendly crafts and opportunities to learn about farming science.

Children must be accompanied by at least one adult; reservations can be made by calling 201-489-9454 or by visiting www.bergenvolunteers.org, where registration and payment can be made on-line.  Deadline for reserving space is March 28th.

Sponsorship opportunities are available for individuals or companies to support this initiative.  Call 201-489-9454 or email jhe@bergenvolunteers.org for more information.

The Volunteer Center of Bergen County strengthens the community by connecting people through service and developing civic leaders.