Celebrate a Healthy Independence Day—Public Relations Garden Event
National Gardening Association Grand Prize Winner
Celebrate a Healthy Independence Day – Public Relations Garden Event
Location: Washington Elementary School
Washington Community Garden
300 N. San Marino Ave San Gabriel, CA 91775
Date: Thursday, June 27, 2013
Time: 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.
Attendees: All interested families, students, community and media
Washington Elementary School was chosen as the GRAND PRIZE WINNER of the Voots® “Get Kids Growing” Garden Grant. Washington was selected by the National Gardening Association (NGA) out of a total of 650 applications. As a grand prize winner, Washington has received over $2,000 in garden tools, supplies and planting funds.
Voots® chose Washington Elementary School because it represents the perfect combination of school, community, and local organizations working together with one goal in mind: to create healthier lifestyles for children in their community. The school was selected by the NGA as the grand prize winner for four main reasons:
- The high number of students (nearly 50 percent) who receive free or reduced lunch rates
- The high surrounding community poverty rate (19 percent)
- The major efforts that have already been implemented to install a garden. The school established raised beds earlier this spring and has a garden class this summer through the San Gabriel Education Foundation (SEF). In addition, students and their families have a place to make a connection to healthy, locally grown fruits and vegetables
- This highly motivated school has a high likelihood to continue the garden program for years to come because of strong community support (with assistance and expertise from the Rotary Club of San Gabriel, Canna Co., Neighborhood Garden Exchange, School District, Garden Angels donor group and many more).
Voots® “Get Kids Growing” Gardening Event Summary
To help honor and recognize the educational gardening efforts of Washington Elementary School, and to celebrate their receipt of the grand prize, Voots® Veggie-Fruit Tarts will help the school host a special “Get Kids Growing” gardening event for students, staff, parents and media to enjoy!
Instead of fireworks, this event will start off with a yoga session in the garden to help students, staff, parents and media work up an appetite for their “fresh from the garden” Independence Day meal.
Immediately following the short yoga session, the school’s staff will serve up a “fresh from the garden” Independence Day meal including recipes made with red, white and blue fruits and veggies that are in season to showcase how gardening is not only a fun activity but one that produces a variety of colorful, delicious and healthy foods that are vital to maintaining our health and wellness.
Jessica Brown, the SEF’s Summer Academy garden instructor will lead a talk throughout this meal, and discuss what is currently growing in the garden, and what the kids learned throughout the program’s “Nutrition & Health Week.” Tom Chan (School principal), Julie Dickerson (NGA) and Jessica Mitchell (Voots) will say a few words about gardening and healthy eating.
There will also be patriotic hats for attendees to wear and mini American flags. The school’s garden will also be decked out in Fourth of July-themed decorations and colors to help honor this national holiday.
The community is welcome to attend this fun-filled event, but we ask that all visitors check in at our office. Visit us on Facebook at Washington Community Garden San Gabriel or www.washington.sgusd.k12.ca.us
