Students Dig into Garden Project Thanks to BrightView Donation
When the Blue Bell Elementary School, located just outside of Philadelphia, put out a call for soil to fill their nine new garden boxes, BrightView was happy to help. The BrightView Maintenance Services team from Exton, Pa. donated their services and material help move this community project forward.
Set along the school’s main pathway, this impressive garden is a focal point welcoming visitors and children to the school. The fenced in garden is home to nine framed garden boxes. The beds will generate healthy food and a lifelong lesson in caring for plants. Just outside the garden is a composter, shed, and a flower bed – all maintained by the Blue Bell Elementary Garden Club.
“We value giving back to the community and so when we learned that this local school was in need of soil for their garden project, we were happy to donate to fill the new beds,” said Dante DeMaria, BrightView Branch Manager. “Much like our involvement with the Boys & Girls Club of Philadelphia, being able to provide to the children of our local community means so much to me and the entire Exton branch.”
The BrightView team filled two trucks with nutrient-rich soil and filled the boxes as grateful parents, teachers and students looked on.
The Blue Bell Elementary Garden is a volunteer organization run by parents of Blue Bell Elementary students. Established in 2016, the group’s mission is to educate children about growing fruits and vegetables in support of a healthy and sustainable lifestyle. More than 60 students from kindergarten to fifth grade will get their hands dirty in the gardens. Plant care lessons range from composting to planting, growing, and harvesting seasonal vegetables, herbs, and fruits. The lessons are also focused on the benefits of eating healthy foods and teaching Blue Bell students to be environmentally friendly, encouraging them to reuse, recycle, and reduce waste.
“Our students enjoy the Garden Club and learn about gardening, healthy eating, and our environment and we are grateful for BrightView’s help in contributing to these valuable lessons,” said Amy Jones, PA-C, dipACLM, Blue Bell Elementary School Garden Club Volunteer. “Thanks to Dante and his amazing team from Brightview, our students are now able to learn the value of gardens hopefully will aspire to join BrightView as future gardeners.”
