It was a dream Elizabeth Sepe had for several years, and with the help of one local organization, it was accomplished.
HOT SPRINGS, Ark. — A Hot Springs student’s dream has become a reality, and the entire community could benefit as a result.
“This is Common Ground at the Hot Springs Welcome Center,” Elizabeth Sepe said Saturday. The idea is something that Sepe and some of her classmates at Hot Springs High School have found common ground over for the last couple of years.
“We’re here to pour back into our community,” Sepe, a high school junior, said, “Providing fresh produce to underprivileged families in need.” The idea for a community garden has been growing for several years; however, one thing Sepe needed was money for materials, and she was able to get it.
“Reynolds Consumer Products is funding this entire project,” Sepe said. “They have donated the means to buy all of our materials, and they’re also getting their hands dirty with us.”
A lot of people were getting their hands dirty at Saturday’s groundbreaking as volunteers built flower beds and planted vegetables. Reynolds Human Resources manager Lynn Burks was one of them. She stated that many people in the area don’t know that the well-known Reynolds Wrap product begins in their local community.
“The Hot Springs rolling mill is right here in Malvern,” Burks said. “They’ve been here since 1978, and that’s where the whole Reynolds Wrap starts,” Burks said. Reynolds has been looking for a way to get more involved in the community, and they found it with Sepe.
“When we heard about the community garden,” Burks said, “We’re like, ‘Okay, that would be a great way for us to make a difference, for us to actually have an impact- a lasting, sustainable impact into the community.”
Sepe hopes that the garden will have a lasting impact.“It’s more permanent than just going in somewhere and volunteering for a short period of time and then picking something else the next year,” Sepe said.
This project will continue long past this year; however, for Sepe, this time will always be special.
“It’s super encouraging and exciting to see this dream finally come true,” Sepe said.
The garden is located at 702 Main Street. Those looking to help can learn more about volunteer opportunities at the welcome center right next door.
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