The Union County Extension Master Gardeners are once again leveraging their green thumbs for goodwill, spearheading the "Making of the Greens" project to distribute festive evergreen arrangements to senior citizens across the county. Now in its second year, the initiative aligns with the Master Gardeners' annual efforts to integrate community service and holiday spirit.
Last year, the Master Gardeners worked to carefully assemble and distribute around 300 of these seasonal decorations to senior nutrition sites and homebound clients, ensuring each received a touch of yuletide greenery. They managed to not only gather materials from their gardens and local grounds but also covered the cost of additional supplies necessary to make the project a success.
The momentum continued as volunteers hosted two work sessions this year dedicated to crafting ornaments and bows ahead of time, aiding to streamline the final assembly of the arrangements. The Union County website reported that the project's origin stemmed from a Master Gardener, Floy Hamilton, who was inspired by a similar undertaking in Pender County.
Debbie Dillion, Horticulture Extension Agent, encapsulated the essence of their work, stating, "This project shows what happens when caring hands and community come together, hundreds of tiny evergreen arrangements carrying a message of warmth to every Senior Nutrition site and homebound client."
After the arrangements were crafted, they were promptly delivered by staff to the Nutrition Feeding Sites for distribution. The 300 handmade pieces were handed out to seniors dining in, and added to the meal deliveries for those unable to leave their homes, bringing a sprig of joy to many during the holiday season.
