Page 104 - South Mississippi Living - March, 2017

HOME & GARDEN growing affection
Left to right: Emily Burrell, Austin Coomer, CC Bradberry, Jennifer Yadon, Amanda Benvenutti, Jane Mattina and Julie Krohn.
Since their founding in 1948, the Junior Auxiliary of Gulfport has been making a difference in the lives of children across the Coast. Last year alone, the volunteer group served more than 14,500 local children and their families through their general welfare and social welfare projects.
One such project, GARDEN, recently brought together community leaders and Junior Auxiliary (JA) volunteers for their shared cause: Growing Affection, Responsibility, Discipline, Education and Nutrition. The GARDEN project aims to serve the students attending The Learning Center in Gulfport.
For the project, JA members assisted the students in building raised garden beds. Following the construction of
the garden beds, JA members will work with the students throughout
the school year to plant and harvest their produce. With help from local chefs, the children will then learn to prepare seasonal vegetables and herbs. The skills required for gardening will incorporate science and math lessons that will correlate with the classroom curriculum. As a result, JA hopes the children will learn lifelong lessons in nurturing and nutrition.
story by Kelsey Sunderman-Foster
photos courtesy of Junior Auxiliary of Gulfport
“This project falls under our social welfare area and is chaired by
Paula Pettis and co-chaired by Julie Krohn,” said Kimberly Rasmussen, vice president of social welfare. “The Mississippi Landscaping Society awarded us a $1,000 grant for the project, which helped to fund the garden beds that were installed on January 21 at the alternative school. Paula should get credit for her efforts, including applying for the grant.”
Paired with the grant, JA is excited
to incorporate local chefs from restaurants such as Corks and Cleaver into their program. “They have agreed to come and lecture to the students about the importance of gardening and herbs and plan to use some of the vegetables and herbs in their meals,” Rasmussen said.
The Junior Auxiliary’s service year runs from May 1 until April 30 with volunteer members providing services that include basic necessities and Christmas gifts to those most in need in our communities, the BOOST mentoring program, #bullyproof anti-bullying project, and Fill the Bus school supply drive.
Junior Auxiliary of Gulfport
P.O. Box 6452, Gulfport jagulfport@gmail.com
104 SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living • March 2017 FOR MORE REFLECTIONS OF THE GULF COAST >> www.smliving.net
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