Kohl’s, Boys and Girls Club of Albany team up to celebrate Earth Day

ALBANY — What better way to celebrate Earth Day than to build a garden; and that’s exactly what the Boys and Girls Club of Albany and Kohl’s teamed up to do Wednesday.

In recognition of Earth Day, employees from Kohl’s installed three raised garden beds at the Jefferson Street club. In addition, the store presented the club with a $1,500 donation to support its gardening program throughout the year.

“This project is meant to raise awareness and assist our youth in going green,” Kohl’s manager Paulette Williams said. “In addition wellness is one of our focuses for the year and these gardens will help make the children active participants in their own health and well-being.”

Marvin Laster, assistant chief professional officer with Boys & Girls Clubs of Albany, said the club plans on planting vegetables in the raised boxes, and will also provide an educational experience.

“A growing segment of our population, especially our youth, consume meals lacking in basic nutrients, many of which are found in fruits and vegetables,” Laster said. “Thanks to generous support of Kohl’s and gardening expertise provided by the Southwest Georgia Project, we will be able to teach our club members how to plant and maintain environmentally friendly organic gardens and allow them to harvest and take home the fruits and vegetables they grow.”

Laster added he hoped the gardens would also teach the club’s members the value of proper nutrition.

“This is really about healthy eating, perhaps they will take some produce home with them,” Laster said. “Plus there is a farmers market nearby, and maybe we can sell some of the produce and teach entrepreneurial skills in the process.”