Many people have heard the name Communities in Bloom, but unless you have been part of the organization, you likely don’t realize all the work that goes on behind the scenes.
Bert Pulles, Denyse Tavener and Bill Elliot have all volunteered countless hours in support of Communities in Bloom Mission and all love to garden, but the organization is about so much more.
“I think, initially, the idea was it’s for Mission. We all have an interest in flowers and gardening, but I think the bigger interest is the beautification of the community,” explained Elliot
Tavener agrees saying a friend convinced her to attend a meeting and she has been involved ever since.
“It’s not just the flowers that bloom, the people bloom,” said Pulles who added the volunteers get a great amount of pride from helping the community.
Pulles, Tavener and Elliot are all involved in one of the group’s most successful endeavours, the school program.
According to Elliot, the school program started small but has steadily grown and has involved almost every school in the district.
Schools are asked to participate in projects that relate to one or more of the following areas:
1. Community Service / Civic Pride;
2. Environmental Responsibility’
3. School / Community Beautification;
4. School Food Garden.
“In terms of the school program, picking up paper, painting garbage cans, worrying about the streams, growing vegetable gardens, helping people around the town, we have expanded our mandate because we are dealing with students and every school’s program is going to be a little different but it’s all about service,” explained Elliot.
This year, Communities in Bloom Mission is adding a new feature to the program, a grow your own vegetables in a pot contest.
Organizers will supply schools with two large containers, a variety of seeds and even the soil if needed.
The students are asked to grow vegetables, tend the planters and try out some new ideas.
Members will stop by and check on the progress from time to time.
The local school program has become so popular and successful that the rest of the province wants to copy the Mission format.
Communities in Bloom BC has asked Mission to help organize programs for other cities to try.
Elliot said both the District of Mission and the School District has been supportive of their efforts.
He said the school program is a way to reach out to the younger generation so they’ll have pride in their community.
One thing that Communities in Bloom Mission needs is more volunteers.
Elliot said people who want to help their community should investigate what they are all about.
“It’s more than flowers. Flowers, gardening and beautification is what started things, but Mission has so much potential. This is just one part of the whole picture,” he added.
He said it doesn’t take a lot to spruce up the community and the downtown area.
“Flowers can do a lot, but it need paint and other things.”
He said the group is just a part of the solution. Other organizations like Adopt-A-Block and others also want to increase pride in the community.
Volunteers are the key.
“I think everybody can make a difference, if they all do a little,” said Tavener.
Anyone interested in joining Communities in Bloom Mission can call Elliot (604-826-9833), Tavener (604-820-0293) or Pulles (604-826-9352) for more information.