Elgin firefighters did their part, too

Thank you for writing about Elgin’s community gardens. I appreciate that you mentioned volunteers; several organizations and more than a 100 people made these gardens a reality. Heartfelt thanks is given.

However, someone had to do the heavy lifting. Someone volunteered to build the raised-bed garden frames, lug literally hundreds of bags of dirt, deliver these supplies and put together the gardens on site.

That someone is Elgin’s firefighters.

Without their assistance, the gardens would not exist. In addition to building anywhere from four to eight frames at each of the 16 sites, Firefighters Local 439 maintained a constant presence at the gardens throughout the growing season.

They came out to celebrate with us as gardens were planted. They taught youth how to safely use electric drills and other equipment so the kids could learn about building the garden frames and develop basic carpentry skills. They watered and tended several of the gardens over the summer.

In particular, they concentrated on assisting and encouraging gardening efforts in public housing and other low-income areas, even rallying the neighborhood children to get involved. And long before grant funding, the firefighters’ union chipped in $500 to help jump-start the garden network.

As I said, there is a very long list of people and organizations who deserve thanks for developing the ever-expanding network of community gardens. I am sincerely grateful. However, Elgin’s firefighters were the boots on the ground, every time.

Donna Askins

President

Elgin Community Garden Network