Seniors and students are coming together to celebrate spring in the best way possible; with gardening.
Rutland Senior Secondary students gave Fernbrae Manor residents their own garden boxes, celebrating with seniors at a garden party Friday afternoon.
The RSS Rotary Interact Club students presented the seniors with six garden boxes, which they helped plant together on Friday afternoon.
The main goal was to make a difference in Rutland.
“We kind of thought they’re limited on some of the space they have so it would be nice for them to be able to go out and garden especially since it’s something that generation would’ve grown up doing,” said RSS interact club president Bailey Spragge.
“We thought it would make them happier…. and give them a little more choice.”
The seniors can choose from a variety of plants including marigolds, vegetables and Canada-themed flowers of red and white to plant. The club plans to stay in contact with the residents and may do an annual planting or harvesting.
Teacher Leah Falkinghal said this is the first time the students have donated their time to seniors and it’s important because the students can learn from them.
“I think the students learn really important skills in terms of collaborating, connecting with their community and in terms of giving back,” she said. “I think it’s important to connect students to our community early on.”
Senior resident Helena Nowosad said the gardens came as a surprise and she enjoys gardening.
The Ogopogo and Morningside Rotary clubs sponsor the RSS Rotary Interact Club. Other programs and members of the community also donated time and resources for the student project.
The boxes will be permanent and the students are hoping to add a few more.