Above: The two Southborough community members being honored by Rotary this year were selected in large part for their efforts related to helping found and support a “flourishing” community garden to produces food for people in need. (images from past Rotary promotions and previously contributed by garden organizers)
[This post is special guest contribution by the Rotary Club of Southborough.]
As we go about our busy days, sometimes getting caught up in the hustle and bustle and fray of current events, it’s good to know that there are those amongst us who are quietly creating lasting spaces that serve our community in lasting ways. To quote from the well- known Desiderata, “go placidly amongst the noise and haste, and remember what peace there is in in silence.”
Two of these wonderful people are our very own local residents, Diana Wainrib and Al Hamilton, who have done just that.
The Rotary Club of Southborough is hosting the “Celebrating Service” event on Wednesday, May 7 from 7 – 8 pm, in the Main Area of the Southborough Library at 25 Main Street. We invite you to help recognize these two individuals who have dedicated their time and efforts in creating the 26-acre Pine Hill Meadow Victory Garden.
Thousands of pounds of fresh produce have been grown here, with countless deliveries to local food pantries and shelters. Beneficiaries of these efforts include the Southborough Free Fridge, the Southborough Food Pantry, the Marlborough Food Pantry, South Worcester Neighborhood Center, and the Central Mass Veterans Center. With the assistance of volunteers including neighbors as well as students from Algonquin and St. Mark’s, the Victory Garden continues to flourish through hands-on efforts and donations.
Created during the height of the pandemic and located in the eastern side of town on an open space parcel owned by a trust, there are multiple fields with a wide variety of vegetables. With the large diversity of cultures in our area and food insecurity unfortunately spanning over many of our community-at-large members, it was important to consider growing and donating items that would bring comfort in their familiarity of a basic need: food.
Al and Diana have been part of the Southborough community since the 1990’s and served the town as well as their neighbors in a multitude of ways. Both have tirelessly contributed their efforts to improve and maintain the integrity, hospitability and service that makes many love calling Southborough their home.
The event is open to all, and we welcome you and your family to join us in saying a heartfelt “thank you” to Diana and Al.
To support the garden, donations can be made to the Pine Hill Meadow Trust, Inc. C/O Kathy Cook, 11 Greystone Way, Southborough, MA. 01772. The Pine Hill Meadow Trust is a registered 501(c)(3) and your donations are deductible to the extent allowed by law.
For more information on the Rotary Club of Southborough and how this local chapter of a long-established worldwide organization can help the lives of others, please visit our website at www.SouthboroughRotary.com for our meeting schedule or email us at RotarySouthborough@gmail.com
[Editor’s Note: The duo being honored have previously shared their updates about the garden on the blog. You can find those here.]
