Charitable Projects Committee Site Visits
Carol Provan and Sandy Holmes
A stewardship tour to view more of the projects funded by our club’s Charitable Projects contributions revealed two additional excellent examples of our donations’ impact in both large and smaller scale undertakings.
Christy Bartley, who serves as Green Coordinator at Cleveland Metro Catholic Schools, demonstrated a creative, practical and educational program through in-school and after school garden clubs, focusing on healthy eating with an extensive learning garden.
On a site surrounded by two of the school’s three buildings and situated in a densely built-up and populated neighborhood, the carefully delineated gardens offer practical, hands-on experiences. Students grow fruit, vegetables, herbs and flowers. Christy oversees structured programs geared to all grade levels and truly makes use of all resources—from an outdoor classroom with tree stump stools, to student-run composting, to an elaborate rain barrel watering system.
Guided on our visit to the area near the Nature Center in the North Chagrin Metro Parks by Grants Manager Kristin Trolio, we saw the bee hive and the native bee hotel, the native pollinator garden surrounding them, and the interpretive signage to teach about bees. Installation of the sensory garden, a portion of the original proposal, has been delayed due to Corona. The walk through this immaculately maintained area was filled with learning opportunities geared to all ages, highlighted by its restful idyllic lake centerpiece.
Groups receiving funds are required to submit a report one year after receipt, but visiting to view the resulting projects makes the theoretical into reality for the Committee and is a visual demonstration of the significant impact our gifts have on Greater Cleveland. It is heartening to see the projects come to life so effectively and to know that our efforts really make a difference.
