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Arbors in Action
Arbors put plans into action as winter turned to spring, finding fresh ways to grow where they live. They helped homeless people in their communities, provided financial literacy assistance, cleaned up parks and trails, supported firefighters and other first responders, organized free bowling events, hosted parties at senior centers and schools, and much more.
Caro Arbor (MI) organized a three-day activity to celebrate Earth Day and Arbor Day. On April 20 members bagged and tagged 340 pine tree seedlings. The following day they delivered trees to the Schall Elementary School with instructions on how to plant the trees and an opportunity for students to win an award by submitting photos to the arbor’s Facebook page. On April 22, members participated in a spring cleanup at the community fairgrounds.
Champion Arbor (MI) hosted a six-hour personal finance workshop conducted by local agent and arbor president Mel Rutkoske. The arbor served coffee, tea and treats to start, followed by delicious boxed lunches. The arbor also handed out Gleaner Life’s new booklet, “Final Wishes Planning Guide.” A total of 10 members and 20 guests participated in the successful April 15 event.
Florida Arbor (OH) put together 60 food bags for its Food for the Community project March 25. Arbor members notified people using flyers around town and on Facebook. The event took place from 9:30 a.m. to noon at the Liberty Center Library. Residents were very thankful.
Entrican Arbor (MI) assisted a pair of fire-related needs in March. The arbor donated $500 to help the Falsetta family of six (plus two animals) recover from a fire at their house in Sheridan, which was not insured. The arbor also donated $500 to the Sheridan Fire Department as it prepared for a fundraising dinner to help purchase equipment.
Good Deeds Arbor (OH) hosted the second annual Girl Power Glow Dance on March 18. The event included a music service, a caricature artist, balloons and flowers, light refreshments, and a gift card raffle. Girls in kindergarten through fifth grades were invited, and encouraged to wear glow-in-the-dark gear. Members reported 234 attendees, plus 12 athlete volunteers who did not sign in. Eight Gleaner members assisted. The event raised $1,650 for the John Glenn High School track and cross country program.
Grand Blanc Arbor (MI) sponsored a community bowling impact event March 12 at Grand Blanc Lanes. Members placed signs, banners, pamphlets, and promotional items for participants. A total of 85 people attended including seven members. Pizza, bread sticks, French fries and soda were handed out along with Gleaner bracelets, ink pens and pamphlets. Photos were taken and shared with the facility owner to promote Gleaner’s Grand Blanc Arbor. The event ended at 3 p.m. and cleanup was finished by 4.
Greater Flint Area Arbor (MI) members met at Swank Home Assisted Living on Feb. 14 to host their annual Valentine’s party. Daniel Bryson entertained in person. Valentine cards were created by Sarah Hogan’s students. A floral arrangement was sent to decorate the dining table. Boxes of chocolates, silk roses and candy treat bags (which included Gleaner lip balm) were distributed. On March 8, arbor members delivered items for their third annual Officer Appreciation event.
Gulf Coast Arbor (FL) was busy. It hosted the first post-COVID blood drive at St. Jude Church on Feb. 5 despite uncertainty about turnout. It also had 12 members and four guests enjoying the Florida Family Day at Circus Sarasota on March 4. They reported the circus was fantastic. At halftime, members met with GLIS Vice President Jaime Reynolds, and after the show they had photos taken with some of the performers.
Harmony Arbor (MI) celebrated Earth Day and Arbor Day by distributing 100 White Pine seedlings and planting a Sugar Maple tree for the Shepherd School. e seedlings arrived at the Alma Fairgrounds on April 14, were packaged at a member’s home on April 20 and the presentation took place at the school on April 21. Arbor members also presented a new script with two members playing the roles of J. Sterling Morton and his wife, Carrie, the founders of Arbor Day. See photo on page 20.
Hawthorne Arbor (IN) rented 24 lanes of the Lowell Plaza Lanes on Saturday, April 1, for an impact activity bowling event. Everyone who attended received free shoe rental, two games of bowling, pizza and pop. A table was set up with literature, pens, and letter openers. Gleaner literature was at each table along with hand sanitizer. It was a busy Saturday in the area with three Easter egg hunts also taking place, but the bowling event managed to attract nine members and 77 guests for a total of 86 participants.
Holland Arbor (OH) provided a catered Italian luncheon Feb. 16 to teachers and staff at Whittier Elementary School in Toledo. More than 60 people attended the luncheon, which was divided into four sessions so everyone could enjoy the spaghetti, fresh tossed salad, bottled water plus many desserts provided by teacher Rene Atanacio-Adler. There were many rounds of “thank you” from appreciative staff.
Ithaca Arbor (MI) has been active with several projects including helping house a veteran. The project, called Door of Hope, was described at a March 14 arbor meeting by sponsors Cynthia and Richard Merling from Renewed Wholesale. The arbor made a $500 donation to assist, in addition to a $1,000 donation to help a community member with medical expenses.
Legacy Arbor (MI) marked Earth Day (and Celebrate Trails Day) April 22 by cleaning up eight portions of the 12-mile Kiwanis Trail around Adrian. Starting at 9 a.m. from a church pavilion next to the trail, teams of volunteers received water from the arbor plus trash bags and trash pick-up sticks from Adrian Parks and Forestry, then went out to different locations. More than two dozen large bags of trash plus a chair, a rusted shopping cart and more were collected. About 30 participants met back at the pavilion around 11:30 to receive free lunch from a taco truck and Gleaner flower pots, both provided by the arbor.
Maple City Arbor (MI) had volunteers helping at The Daily Bread of Lenawee as part of a two-day event. Members served lunch and cleaned up at the Adrian soup kitchen, which is reliant on volunteers to assist with serving, chores and food pickup. They also served desserts and talked with the patrons. In addition, the arbor presented a $200 check because the facility relies on community support and donations and receives no government funding.
Mid Michigan Arbor (MI) celebrated Valentine’s Day Feb. 14 by gathering for cookie decorating at the BayArenc Living Learning Center in Hampton Township. Twenty John Glenn High School students, six teachers and 16 special needs students joined seven arbor members. The goal was to connect “non-traditional” students with “traditional” students. Members had baked 144 cookies and provided various colors of frosting, edible decorations, and white and chocolate milk. The arbor provided transportation to bus over the high school students, who gained volunteer experience in the lifelong lesson of helping others. The arbor also donated $250 to each of the two Special Needs classrooms for supplies.
North Baltimore Arbor (OH) hosted its annual bingo for the residents at Briar Hill Health Campus Assisted Living and Care Center in North Baltimore. This was the first time the event was held since the COVID pandemic. Residents spent the afternoon playing bingo for an assortment of prizes that were provided by the arbor. Later, residents and arbor members enjoyed cookies and fellowship.
Plank Road Arbor (MI) served a teacher appreciation luncheon during a teacher professional development day at Breckenridge Community School. The pasta bar meal was purchased at Anschultz cafe. Members delivered and served it in the high school cafeteria. They also gave a brief description of who the Gleaners are and what we do in the community. Seven door prizes were given away. The 40 teachers and staff really enjoyed the meal.
Portage Center Arbor (OH) members presented $151 worth of new books to the Elmwood Elementary School. Members looked over books purchased by the librarian and placed Gleaner labels in each book to acknowledge the gifts. Eight classes of students each received a presentation from the arbor president about Gleaner, and were read a passage from a book appropriate for their age. Younger students received Benny bookmarks, and older students also received a mood pencil. The school treated members to lunch after the enjoyable event.
Rivertown Arbor (MI) combined its March meeting with a St. Patrick’s Day party at David’s House in Wyoming. After the meeting — at which new member Sue Damuth joined the arbor and the arbor presented a $500 check to Zoe Newman of David’s House — the party with residents began. They were able to suggest names for the large leprechaun (“Lucky Charm” was drawn), received a removable tattoo, played bingo, received chocolate coins when they won, and had a snack. There were 40 guests in addition to seven arbor members.
South Fairfield Arbor (MI) waited through two rain dates to make the community Easter Egg Hunt finally happen on a beautiful, sunny Sunday afternoon. Thousands of plastic eggs were filled, with 16 of the eggs containing numbers that matched prizes of toys or Easter baskets full of goodies. The Easter bunny appeared for pictures and to start the hunt for each of the three age groups — 0-3, 5-7, and 8-12. In addition to putting out Easter eggs in the three areas of the park, arbor members distributing prizes enjoyed the wide eyes and big smiles. It was fun to see so many children and their parents having a great time!
Tri County Arbor (MI) held its CVR event March 3 at Junction of Hope in Chesaning. The arbor honored eight local organizations that help the community and recognized three local volunteers. Individuals were Lori Martin of Luppert’s Food Pantry, Marcia Rice of the Stitching Post, and Fred Busziak and his horse ranch. Recipients received $500 donations.
USA Arbor (MI) assisted the Sebewaing Township ambulance crew in March by providing a $1,000 check to help them purchase automatic external defibrillators. After the presentation, the crew gave arbor members a tour of their offices and vehicle bays. “The crew was very happy to receive such a generous donation and are excited about replacing their outdated equipment,” the arbor reported.
West Lockport Arbor (IL) helped homeless people in Joliet, Illinois, by distributing clothes, blankets, shoes, trial-size hygiene products and gift cards collected by seven members of the arbor. Working with four women who provide food five or more days per week, the members distributed their items to more than 25 unhoused people March 11 “where they were living, under a bridge.” Some had a fire and “they lost everything,” the arbor reported. “We enjoyed helping these women bring some comfort to these people.”
Vulcaneer Arbor (MI) helped the city of Vassar purchase equipment for its new dog park. The $875 donation was used for a piece of 3-ring dog equipment at the park. The check was presented at a Feb. 6 meeting at City Hall.
White Pine Arbor (MI) hosted a St. Patrick’s party at the Ogemaw County Senior Center. More than 120 guests attended plus 200 shut-ins. Ten arbor members were there, and the arbor paid for prizes, a dinner of hot roast beef sandwiches, mashed potatoes, carrots and pistachio pudding. The arbor provided two full size sheet cakes and ice cream for dessert.
