FORT WASHINGTON, Penn.. — After creating the Frontline Heroes initiative to give back to the community and help make a difference during the pandemic, TruMark CU also developed a “Concern for Community” initiative, which has helped another nonprofit..
In April, the credit union donated gardening tools to several groups who managed community gardens. When credit union representatives learned about Mt. Airy resident Joe Johnson and the Pleasant Playground Garden project he created, they also reached out to him and offered assistance. The timing fell right in line with the credit union’s community garden theme. He was elated because he was still trying to raise funds and some of the gardeners were lacking tools, TruMark said.
Demonstrating the credit union philosophy, “People Helping People,” the credit union donated 10 gardening tool totes, which included a pruner, snip, rake, trowel, shovel, and water spray bottle to the Pleasant Playground Garden project. Johnson will distribute the tool totes, which have everything a gardening newcomer needs for cultivating a vegetable garden.
Johnson, a retired Marine, always had a yen for gardening. When he returned to his neighborhood after serving 23 years in the military he had aspirations to create more access to healthy foods and offer educational opportunities, along with a shared green space for neighbors. He planned to use the skills he learned at a two-week permaculture course that later led to a six-month organic farming apprenticeship.
Johnson plans to distribute the gardening tool totes among the 42 gardeners.
“We have several members that are brand new to gardening and don't possess any gardening tools. We are appreciative of this generous donation that will enable new gardeners to thrive in their vegetable growing endeavors,” said Johnson.
As the gardeners work together and nurture their individual plot of land, they share a sense of renewed spirit. Along with vegetables blooming at the Pleasant Playground Community Garden, new friendships have blossomed as Joe Johnson witnesses people of all ages working in the garden as it becomes part of the social fabric of the community.