BRATTLEBORO — In an effort organized by the Exit 1 Gateway Project and Green Up Vermont, a visiting AmeriCorps team and local volunteers expanded the Exit 1 gardens on May 4, Green Up Day, and May 9.
They tended to the Exit 1 end of Canal Street, turning over fresh ground to prepare more garden space. They planted a bank of daylilies, brightly colored pansies, and other annuals that are blooming now.
Laura Schairbaum, volunteer coordinator for the Southeastern Vermont Long-Term Recovery Committee, in partnership with United Way, sent these young people to Exit 1 to help out.
The National Civilian Community Corps, a program of AmeriCorps, is a team-based national service program for 18- to 24-year-olds. They were in Windham County through May 14 and will travel to points north through the end of May. They are working on Tropical Storm Irene-related recovery projects such as debris cleanup, home construction, tree planting, and Green-Up Day.
“We are so grateful to have them here, especially to help with so many things that had been on the back burner as we focused on more pressing needs of homeowners,” said Schairbaum. “I'm glad we were able to connect with the Exit 1 Gateway Project, as this is an important initiative to improve the quality of our landscape and welcome at Vermont's First Exit.”
Martha Ramsey, facilitator of the Exit 1 Gateway Project, spoke of her gratitude toward the volunteers as well.
“They appeared like angels, happy to do hard physical work. They worked with dedication to help us build the gardens at Exit 1. The uplift of everyone's spirits post-Irene, and in the face of continuing challenging times, is a central aim of our project,” she said.
The Exit 1 Gateway Project is supported by volunteer work and modest contributions from local donors. Canal Street businesses gave donations and Deer Ridge Farm gave daylilies that made the creation of these new gardens possible. The Project is an initiative of local citizens who care about the First Exit and work to make it a place of welcome and beauty. They have established several gardens there and last fall organized the planting of 1,000 daffodils by volunteers.