Patriot Guardens volunteers at WVSU CARE’s Day

Photo By Sgt. Zoe Morris | Members of the WVNG Patriot Guardens initiative participated in the West Virginia State University CARE’s Day by volunteering at Recovery Point in Charleston on Saturday.  

CHARLESTON, WV, UNITED STATES

04.22.2017

Story by Sgt. Zoe Morris 

153rd Public Affairs Detachment

by 2nd Lt. Brittany Evans
Patriot Guardens Coordinator
West Virginia National Guard

CHARLESTON, W. Va. -- Members of the Patriot Guardens initiative participated in the West Virginia State University CARE’s Day by volunteering at Recovery Point in Charleston on Saturday.
Rachel Thaxton, Recovery Point’s program coordinator, said organization leaders are interested in becoming more self-sustaining by growing produce in order to supplement their meals. In addition, they would like to utilize agriculture as a means of therapeutic and positive growth.
Recovery Point West Virginia is a nonprofit organization providing several no-cost recovery programs, including a long-term, residential recovery program based on the social model of recovery. Charleston hosts a 92-bed women's long-term facility.
Melissa Stewart, assistant program director of WVSU Extension Service, suggested starting with raised bed production, bagged grow, and possible garden towers. In conjunction with WVSU’s Cares Day, Stewart was able to include Recovery Point as one of the community service sites.
Volunteer efforts of the West Virginia National Guard, Chemical Valley Junior Roller Derby Team, WVSU Extension Services, and Recovery Point clients and staff enabled Recovery Point Charleston to receive five raised beds, 10 strawberry bags, and four containers of herbs/flowers. All were placed behind the building in a grassy area. All raised beds were planted with Swiss chard, lettuces, herbs, strawberries, and flowers - all completed before the rain started at 11:30.
Thraxton said the Recovery Point Charleston ladies were pleased and many commented on how much fun they had.
“It was a great opportunity to show my kids and family how the military is helping in the community and throughout the state, as well as the importance of giving back and lending a friendly hand to those in need,” said 2nd Lt. Brittany Evans, whose fiancée, future step-son and step-daughter all volunteered.
“Overall it was a fantastic experience,” said Evans, who is the WVNG Patriot Guardens coordinator. “It was amazing to watch the women of Recovery Point teach younger volunteers, including my own kids. Together they learned how to plant and grow new life get their hands dirty. I think it was very therapeutic for everyone involved.”
Thraxton said she will look to establish some beds for vegetable production in the full sun area, but wants the participants to get their feet wet caring for these beds first.
Additional training/education will be provided as more beds are established at the center. Some of the ladies have worked in landscaping previously and there could be potential to transition a few into agriculture.
This site would do well with a greenhouse in the future, Stewart said. This site is being tracked through Patriot Guardens and will continue to grow and expand into agriculture as their clients and staff become more comfortable with growing their own produce.
For more information on Patriot Guardens and other veteran agriculture initiatives, call 2nd Lt. Brittany Evans, Patriot Guardens Coordinator, at 304-561-6439 or email [e-mail].

• Date Taken: 04.22.2017
• Date Posted: 04.26.2017 16:36
• Story ID: 231676
• Location: CHARLESTON, WV, US