From the seeds of an idea, a beautiful garden blooms
Evelyn Anderson and Bonnie McNair wiped dirt from their gardening gloves and their brows as they surveyed the finished courtyard border garden that they andother Friends of the Friendship Service Center created through weeks of work. The idea for the garden began when Ana Trammell, Program Coordinator, attended a Friends meeting and said several residents asked if a flower garden could be planted.After an assessment, a crew of residents, staff and Friends took on the huge task to reclaim the land by removing the weeds and preparing the site by covering the beds with newspaper and mulch. With a gift card to Ocean State Job Lot, Bonnie M. and Evelyn were able to purchase essential garden tools, work gloves and a hose. On June 16, the site was cleared.Serendipity was also at work: plants were purchased at a discount from ChamberlainGrowers, a wholesale nursery, and Cold Springs Farm, a garden center in Berlin, was discarding trays of marigolds. After inquiry, the owner donated five flats – about 200plants! These were all planted including perennials from Evelyn’s garden and daylilies donated by the Kensington Garden Club. A crew, included Bonnie Gryckiewicz, were amongthose lending plenty of muscle power. Mulch was later added with the help of KenAnderson, and Bonnie and Cliff Cote. A plumber fixed the outside faucet to use foroutdoor watering. Over one month’s time, a discarded space was transformed into a beautiful setting forresidents and clients to enjoy and care for. “It is still very much a work in progress. We would like to add more plants, some bulbs inthe fall and make an herb garden for the kitchen to use,” Evelyn said. As it will be anongoing project, more mulch is welcome if anyone can donate it. Thank you, everyone! click here to learn more about “Friends”
Ice cream for everyone at South Church
Ice cream treats and games of corn hole were all that were needed to build new friendships with visiting all-star athletes from the AFE league on June 10. Teams representing the American Football Events program were in town to compete at Veterans Stadium yet always make it a top priority to join in a service project with a community organization that serves those who are housing insecure. FSC clients, staff and our guests had a blast with lots of laughs and good-hearted competition. Awesome exampleof how community partnership results in great opportunities!
Thank you and good luck to Sarah
Sarah DiMaio brought a wealth of experience in the field of housing and homelessness to the Friendship Center during her stay. Her solutions-based approach and her depth of knowledge added value to our programming right away. Friendship Center is most grateful for her leadership during our restructure and in her care and reorganizing of staff. Sarah is going to Journey Home as Director of Strategy where she will bring her “hands on” knowledge managing multiple housing, services, outreach, and shelter programs for men, women and children to the Hartford and the Central Connecticut coordinated networks.
SAVE THE DATE Join Team FSC “It’s easy! Your fundraising efforts will help Connecticut Food Bank / Foodshare continue to provide relief for people struggling with hunger, as well as support long-term efforts to increase access to healthy food while addressing the underlying issues that contribute to hunger.” click here for more information
FREE crafts and passes from NBMAA
Kids Are Free !!! All CT children (18 and under) plus one accompanying adult can visit NBMAA or any of the state’s participating museums FREE of charge.
The Bloomin’ 4 Good Program is a brand new program from Stop & Shop to work to fight hunger across the communities it serves. This program provides a way for shoppers to give back with every floral bouquet sold. Every time a shopper purchases one of the $9.99 Bloomin’ 4 Good Bouquets with the red circle sticker, Stop & Shop donates $1 to Friendship Service Center of New Britain – Community Kitchen. It’s as simple as that! Visit 44 Fern Road, Newington CT to support US.
This is US
Since 1968, the Friendship Service Center, Inc. is a place where the hungry are fed, the homeless are sheltered, and everyone is welcome. FSC provides a continuum of services for men, women and children who are homeless in Central Connecticut. click here to learn more about FSC
