The Miami Lakes Garden Club adopted a community project this year at the Marian Center in Opa-Locka. The Marian Center offers services for people with intellectual disabilities, which includes a fully-accredited school for students ages six to 21, an adult day-training and work program as well as a full time residential facility for women. Each program welcomes people from all races, religions and backgrounds and provides partial financial aid to those who qualify.
At the Marian Center, Garden Club members work with adults at the facility to plant vegetables, herbs or decorative plants. Work includes organizing a green house, planting a rock garden and replanting a butterfly garden.
The focus of the project is to foster a respect for, and love of, gardening and nature among participants. Additionally, the project also provides the opportunity to put acquired knowledge to work for Garden Club members who completed the National Garden Clubs’ Gardening Schools Course.
All materials and plants for the project are either already on site, or are donated by the Garden Club members and friends from the community. Vegetable seedlings were kindly donated by Moses Kashem, who is a local organic farmer.
As the rock garden neared completion, it became apparent that mulch was needed to prevent weed growth and enhance the beauty of the site. A helpful hand was extended from members of the Thunder and Lightning Motorcycle Club in the form of hardwood mulch.
The project energizes Garden Club members, and is beneficial to residents of the The Marian Center, who have an opportunity to connect with the beautiful bounty of the horticulture of South Florida.