"We're happy to contribute to this
wonderful opportunity for our youth to learn about the importance of
agriculture to California and our country," said Alice. "This
community service project jump starts our CWA chapter's celebration of
National Ag Week, March 16 to 22."
The Daniels family was joined by fellow members
of the California Women for Agriculture, Inland Empire Chapter,
including Sue Hills and her son Chuck, manager of Larry Jacinto Farming.
Chuck provided support in the site preparation. Support for the orchard
project also came from Parkview Nursery on Jackson Street in Riverside
and Planet Orange/ING Direct.
Eric Triplett, "The
Pond Digger," and his foreman Brian Hoss guided the students and
adult helpers with building a refreshing water garden featuring The
Pond Digger's own brand of a five-piece, hand-crafted and
custom-designed, rock column waterfall.
The waterscape is situated in the orchard's focal
corner, where two rows of fruit trees on each side of the water
feature meet. The pondless waterfall provides the sights and sounds of a
waterfall and stream, without a pond, said Triplett.
"Instead of having a pond at the bottom of
your waterfall or stream, a basin is excavated, lined with our rubber
liner and filled with layers of stone and gravel," explained
Triplett. "Once the basin is filled with water, the water is
circulated by the pump, which is installed in the bottom of the
pondless basin in a pump chamber. The water flows through the Waterfall
filter, out of the one-of-a-kind rock columns," noted
Triplett, "down a six-foot steam and into the pondless
basin."
The Kiwanians worked side-by-side with the youth to
help build the water garden, plant the fruit trees, and serve
refreshments, including sought-after tasty popcorn and
flavorful snow cones. The mouth-watering, grilled hot dog lunch the
Kiwanians cooked up was a big hit, too. Thanks go to Donna
Farracone, the club's Sponsored Youth committee chair, for coordinating
the food, and to president-elect George Barich for being the top hot
dog chef.
The festive atmosphere brought smiles to the Kiwanis
members, and helped to accomplish the club's mission of "serving
the children of the world."
According to Jack Steward, the club's Work
Projects chair, "Kiwanis, through guidance and example, works to
develop future generations of leaders. Our 'Kiwanis One Day'
service project with Cope's Builders Club, ASB and the entire Cope
School Family, illustrates what our club has offered the
community for 85 years. We're enjoying every minute of seeing our
youth learn the benefits of giving back to the community," Steward added, "and
how it benefits everyone, including the giver, in the
process."
Steward chairs with Fred Williams the
club's annual Pancake Breakfast, which is set from 7:30 to 11 a.m. April
5 and 6, during the 24th annual Redlands Bicycle Classic in downtown
Redlands. Net proceeds from each $5 breakfast ticket are given back to
the community by Kiwanis to support youth enrichment programs and projects
such school garden grants.
Kiwanis International chose April 5 this
year to celebrate its Kiwanis One Day project; the Kiwanis Club of
Redlands celebrated its Kiwanis One Day project March 15 because
the club will sponsor its 63rd annual Pancake Breakfast
April 5.
Last Saturday's One Day service activities
also included a student-run car wash to benefit campus beautification.
The youngsters further learned about a supportive community when
one passer-by donated $20 because of wanting to help their service
project, and then passed on the car wash.
Cope principal Kate Pearne, and assistant principal Jon Best are
proud of their students for the teamwork they exhibited during the
day-long project.
"We are so grateful to Kiwanis and all of our
community partners," said Pearne. "Our students are
learning lifelong, valuable lessons as they leave their legacy of
community service alongside these very giving adults."
Also helping to direct the service project were Cope
Builders Club faculty advisors Bobbi Korte, Richard Pena and Margaret
Pietrzak, along with Emily Chase Bueermann, Kiwanis Club liaison
and Cope parent.
"The Kiwanis Club of Redlands has a long
history of supporting Cope Middle School through its works
projects," said Bueermann, who also chairs the club's School Garden
grant committee with Christopher Peterson. "Our 'Kiwanis One
Day'' event at the middle school, in partnership with nearly 50
Builders Club members, generated a new awareness of the vital and
understated work our club accomplishes on behalf of our youth; and left
the youngsters with lasting memories, and an interest in joining Key
Club in upcoming years."
Thanks to all the Kiwanians who participated in
this year's One Day project. They include: president-elect George
Barich; Home, Hospital, and Support committee chair Loren Barnett; Rich
Bawden; Emily and Jim Bueermann; secretary Donna Ferracone;
assistant treasurer Dick Foerster; treasurer Rick Foster; Rich
Hickey; Lynnette Johnson; Administration/Attendance committee co-chair
Sue Patterson; Christopher Peterson; vice president-administration Jean
Showalter; vice president-service Jack Steward; Membership chair
Andrew Taube; Reception committee members Glenn Vernet and Judy
Westcott; and Bruce Wick.
Article by Emily Chase Bueermann, (909) 798-6150
