Volunteers pitch in during Kiwanis work day at RiverQuarium
Downtown attraction gets assistance on construction of ‘Golly Gee Garden’ exhibit
By Carlton Fletcher
ALBANY — Flint RiverQuarium Educational Programs Director Malloree Lanier’s plan to turn volunteer co-director Emily Jean McAfee’s concept of a “Golly Gee Garden” educational exhibit into reality got a huge boost from the Kiwanis Club of Dougherty County Saturday.
Volunteers from the civic organization, and its student Key Club offshoot, came to the downtown exhibit for a Kiwanis Club One-Day work day Saturday, building exhibits on grounds outside the aquarium that will be used as an educational tool by staff.
“That old saying about how many hands make short work is true,” Lanier said as she watched the volunteers work on various exhibits in what will become the Golly Gee Garden. “E.J. (McAfee) had this idea, and I kind of took it and ran with it. We came up with this plan to use this space for a unique educational exhibit that will be a part of the RiverQuarium experience.
“We were excited that the Kiwanis Club volunteered to help us with our vision.”
Lanier said exhibits planned for the garden area include a gopher tortoise exhibit, a stream table exhibit that will show the results of erosion, an arbor that will showcase native plants, raised vegetable garden beds and a pollinator garden for butterflies.
“The Kiwanis Club has a small window for its ‘One-Day’ work day projects,” club president Kristen Caso said. “We started on this last year, and we’re excited to be back out here for a work day today. The weather is perfect, and we’re all excited to see this project starting to take shape.”
Matt Fenner and Jonathan Morey, members of the Southwest Georgia Homeschool Association Key Club, said they were glad to lend a hand on the project during a clear Saturday morning. They worked alongside association Key Club advisor Darlene Butler.
“The Key Club is affiliated with the Kiwanis Club, and Kiwanis is all about service and leadership,” Butler said. “This is an excellent way for our young people to get involved in a service project that benefits their community.”
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