The Long Branch Concordance Family Success Center, 300 Broadway, Long Branch, held the seventh annual Strengthening Families Community Garden Kickoff and Health Fair. The 7th Avenue Community Garden provides an opportunity to promote parent child interaction as well as grow family literacy and life skills. The garden becomes a family activity where everyone learns how to prepare and store healthy foods. Also, twice weekly LBC staff attends the garden to offer free crafts and parent/child activities.
Visitors had the opportunity to take part in a wide variety of free health screenings and obtain informational literature plus fun handouts. In attendance were LBC Community Partners including the Visiting Nurse Association of Central Jersey, Child Care Resources, Habitat for Humanity in Monmouth County, Brookdale Community College Nursing Program, County Council for Young Children and 180 Turning Lives Around, Inc.
Master Gardner, Lisa Bagwell assisted the LBC staff, volunteers, and families in managing the expansive 75 yard x 25 yard (2 city block) garden from April through October. Master Gardeners interested in being a part of the 7th Avenue Community Garden, can call to learn more about time commitment and compensation.
Murray Elinson, First Class Scout, supported the 7th Avenue Community Garden while representing Boy Scout Troop 58 of Oceanport and earning community service hours. LBC parents and children, staff, Trustees, volunteers, and service providers also shared a delicious, healthy breakfast.
To join the garden as a volunteer any Monday, Thursday and Saturday, contact Lisa Wilson, executive director, at 732-571-1670 or email [email protected] or Elena Delaney, volunteer and community resource coordinator, at [email protected]. For more information, visit www.lbc4help.org.