By Maria Velasquez – News Writer
Volunteers from the Clarke Central High School and the Athens area helped build the new International Baccalaureate service learning GLAD time community garden on Jan. 21. While organizers expected around fifty volunteers, the actual turnout surpassed seventy.
“I have been very impressed with the number of students who have come out here to make a positive impact on their school and their community by building a garden,” IB Coordinator and social studies department chair Ashley Goodrich said. “Everyone seems to be having fun; that’s very important.”
The event, which took place on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, was planned with Hands On Northeast Georgia. According to Goodrich, this partnership brought in a great deal of volunteers, including those involved with Interact Club and the CCHS wrestling team.
“It’s a day given by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and what he stood for,” said Goodrich, “So it’s important for for us to be here doing what he would want us to do, which is making the school a more beautiful place.”
Interact Club president-elect Flynne Collins was in attendance. According to Collins, participating in the day of service is a tradition passed down from past members of the club.
“We’re just really hoping to make the school a better place,” said Collins, “and hopefully live up to the work that (previous Interact Club presidents) Baylor Ward and Gabriel Scott have done.”
The volunteers worked primarily on the IB service learning community garden, part of the GLAD time’s holistic effort to end hunger in the Clarke County area.
“We’re providing people with nutritious, affordable, alternative food for their diet,” said Goodrich, “And we’ve got students involved, making a difference in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.”
