What are your volunteer activities at WPC?

I am the garden steward for the Blvd. of the Allies – Anderson Street Garden.

How did you become involved with WPC?

A co-worker had a friend who worked at WPC, and she told me about the volunteer garden steward program. At the time they needed a steward for the Beechwood garden.

How long have you been a volunteer with us and what motivates you to stay involved at WPC?

I began volunteering in 1995. I have volunteered at three different gardens – Beechwood Blvd. at Saline St., Connellsville and Blvd. of the Allies. Each garden season it’s rewarding to see the garden bloom and grow. It’s nice when someone beeps or stops to say how nice the garden is looking and how much they appreciate it.

Tell us about your favorite volunteer experience at WPC?

When I was the steward in Connellsville, I planted with 4th grade students from a nearby elementary school. Although it could be chaotic with 30-plus 4th graders, it was also fun watching them learn to plant the flowers. For some of them, it was their first planting experience and I hope they would want to continue to garden with their families.

What has surprised you most about working with WPC?

When I started I had no idea about all of the projects that WPC is involved with. They have continued to grow and change over the years.

What do you do when you’re not volunteering?

I recently retired after 40 years from a local health system. I garden at home and help friends with their gardens, I also love to travel and read.