GH Volunteer Update 8/17/06

Hi Everybody…

I hope everyone’s August is treating them well … I’ve had a couple of eventful weeks – and just returned from a great training at Boston’s Food Project so please excuse this update getting to you all a little late.

Ypsilanti’s Heritage Festival is upon us, so make sure to check out all the happenings and take advantage of the FREE Bike Valet service brought to you by the Ypsilanti Health Coalition. WOOOWHHHOOO! (Check below for a chance to volunteer below) PLUS… don’t forget to stop by the Depot Town Farmers’ Market from 8-3, pick up some produce and check out the displays inside the historic Depot Town Frieghthouse.

Oh… and don’t forget about Plant-a-Row for the Hungry! We’re right in the middle of some peak harvesting so make sure to take a look below for multiple times, places and ways to get your extra bounty to hungry folks in our community.

If this is the first Growing Hope volunteer update you’re receiving – thanks so much for your interest and I hope you enjoy getting to hear about all the upcoming events and ways to participate. – See you out and about…


1. Heritage Festival Aug. 18,19 and 20 – VOL. NEEDED
2. "A Bounty of Fall Vegetables and Herbs" – Sept. 6th Cooking Demo.
3. Hope’s Harvest Annual Event – Sept. 17th – VOL. NEEDED
- Special Projects -
4. Plant-A-Row for the Hungry – collection and donation opportunities
5. Downtown Ypsilanti Farmers’ Market Crew – Tuesday evening vol. shifts
6. Rain Barrel construction project @ A2 ReUse Center – VOL. NEEDED
7. Growing Hope’s Garden Resource Center Workday – VOL. NEEDED
_____________________________________________________________________
(***Please reply by emailing info@growinghope.net***)

1. VOL. NEEDED
Heritage Festival – Folks needed to flier, and assist with YHC Bike Valet service
Aug 18 – Aug 20

Heritage Festival is a great chance to get the word out about all the great things going on in Ypsilanti … We’d like to use the opportunity to tell residents and visitors about our three farmers’ market days (Tues., Wed., and Sat.) as well as some of Growing Hope’s upcoming events. Are you going to be walking around heritage festival this weekend? How ‘bout signing up to pick up some fliers to hand out… We’re looking for youth and adults to either sign-up for a shift (~2 hours) or rsvp and let us know that you’ll pick up some fliers at the Ypsilanti Health Coalition table to hand out while you’re down at the festival.
Also, if you’re interested in lending a hand at the free Bike Valet on Sat. please contact YoungDD@trinity-health.org

2. VOL. NEEDED
Hope’s Harvest Annual Event – Sept. 17th – VOL. NEEDED
Shifts: 2:30-5:30 and 5:30-8:30

Hope's Harvest is a partnership with Everyday Wines (Kerry town) and will
feature locally grown foods, masterfully prepared by Zingerman's, paired
with wines selected by Everyday Wines. Growing Hope's 2nd annual Hope's
Harvest celebration takes place at the Gladwin Barn on the west side of
Ann Arbor. 4-7 pm. Tickets are $50 per person or tables of six can be
reserved for $250. Purchase by calling the Growing Hope (734) 786-8401 or
at www.growinghope.net.

Raffle tickets are also available at 3 for $5 and the top 3 wonderful
Prizes include: Dinner for two at your home prepared by a trained chef;
The Growing Hope Board of Directors selection (case of wine); a
Beautiful nature art print by a local artist. Many other great prizes!
Raffle tickets are also available by calling the Growing Hope office.

VOL. NEEDED – get yourself a free pass to this great event by signing up to volunteer
Shifts:
2:30 – 5:30 = set-up and servers (10 needed)
5:30 – 8:30 = servers and clean-up (10 needed)
*Grab your spot before they’re gone!

3.
"A Bounty of Fall Vegetables and Herbs"
Wed. Sept 6th – 6-8pm

Join the MFit Culinary Team at the East Ann Arbor Health Center for
cooking demonstrations to benefit Growing Hope. Enjoy tasting
mouth-watering recipes featuring the bounty of the season. You'll also
receive recipes for each tasty recipe to take home and try yourself. This
class promises to be entertaining and educational - don't miss it! 6-8 pm.
4260 Plymouth Road, Ann Arbor Michigan. (Lower level demonstration
kitchen). $40 per person, registration/prepayment is required.
734-786-8401.

--SPECIAL PROJECTS--

4. VOL. NEEDED
Plant-A-Row for the Hungry – collection and donation opportunities

- The Foodgatherers’ Warehouse – M-F from 9am to 4pm
(see www.foodgatherers.org for directions)
- English Gardens on Maple Rd. in Ann Arbor – M-Sat. 9-9 and Sun. 9-6
(ask a sales clerk where to donate for PAR)
- Wednesdays at WMS Garden – 7:30-8:30pm
Harvest from your plots and lend a hand in the PAR plot on these upcoming Wednesdays
August 16, August 30, September 13, September 27, October 11
(contact lsanko@comcast.net for more info)

**If you have organized a collection day that you would like posted or would like to assist with one please reply to Karen@growinghope.net**

(Don’t forget, Foodgatherers will arrange a truck to pick up any donations over 40 lbs., just call (734) 761-2796 during business hours)

5. VOL. NEEDED
Downtown Ypsilanti Farmers’ Market Crew
Tuesday evenings June 6 – Sept. 26
Set-up, market staff, and breakdown …GREAT for groups, community service etc.!

Be part of The Market Crew – and help make something great possible!

The NEW Downtown Ypsilanti Farmer's Market – every Tuesday from June-September in the parking lot behind Key Bank on the corner of Michigan Ave and Hamilton. Local food, plants, local crafts, local products, and local fun! PLUS… The Market accepts credit/debit cards and EBT (food stamps)!

Market Crew shifts – SIGN-UP with your friends, family, or group!
(Set-up) 1:30 – 3:30
(Market Staff – kids tent, greeters, Growing Hope tablers etc.) 3 – 7
(Break-down) 7 – 8:00

6. VOL. NEEDED
Rain Barrel Construction Project for GH gardens
(your project = your schedule)

Know a lot about rain barrels or want to learn a lot more!?! I am still looking for volunteers interested in taking part in this project…we’ve had some replies and I’d love to get a team together as we move forward.

I am looking for someone to price or collect the materials needed to create a rain barrel (spickets, connecting pieces etc.), as well as volunteers to be part of our construction team. We will be partnering with the ReUse Center of Ann Arbor and constructing some of the barrels at their 10th Anniversary Celebration – but you could also opt to construct a rain barrel on your own time and deliver it to one of our community gardens (maybe an idea for your boyscout or girlscout troop project).

If you’d like to take part in coordinating and planning this project – or if you’d just like the chance to construct a barrel or two please reply to Karen@growinghope.net to get started!

7. VOL. NEEDED
Growing Hope’s Garden Resource Center Workday
Wed. Aug 23rd 1:30-5pm
Painting, Tool Maintenance, organizing, etc.

We’ve moved into our GRC space – but now with the speed of the season slowing down we’re ready to get the space lookin’ spiffy. We’re looking for folks to lend a hand as we finish paining our walls, cleaning up our tools to be lent, and organizing the Recource Center for upcoming seasons. RSVP and get a sneak peek at our new space… info@growinghope.net or call 786-8401

See you out and about,
Karen