PRESS RELEASE:
On Friday, June 3, 2016 from 9:30 – 10:30 AM, YWCA of Asheville will host an event to dedicate their newly planted “Bee Happy Garden” in memory of Laurey Masterton. Thanks to funding provided by Duke Energy Progress, the garden was built to honor the legacy of Laurey Masterton, former YWCA board member and one of Asheville’s most beloved community members and activists.
Asheville DesignBuild Studio students, who have contributed to YWCA of Asheville campus improvements before, designed the garden. The unique honeycomb-shaped raised garden beds reflect Masterton’s love of beekeeping. The garden also includes a covered picnic table and bench.
Masterton was especially dedicated to helping programs promote healthy eating and nutrition to students and families that the YWCA serves. She was instrumental in the creation of the YWCA student’s Edible Garden and in keeping with this philosophy of nurturing children and promoting health, the “Bee Happy Garden” features fruits and vegetables and will serve as a “snackable” garden that staff and children in the programs can enjoy.
Students in the YWCA Primary Enrichment Program helped staff members with the planting of the garden in early May. Along with some bee-friendly flowers, the students planted cherry tomatoes, strawberries and blueberries.
The dedication event is to be held at the garden site at YWCA of Asheville located at 185 S. French Broad Avenue. The event will be held rain or shine.
YWCA of Asheville is dedicated to eliminating racism and empowering women. We offer programs that bridge gaps in education, health care, childcare and earning power. These programs include an Early Learning Child Care Center, Primary Enrichment Program (After-School and Summer Camp), MotherLove (mentoring for pregnant and parenting teens), Empowerment Childcare (support for women improving their economic future), Preventive Health & Diabetes Wellness, and the YWCA Club W Health & Fitness Center. The YWCA has been in Asheville since 1907 and currently serves more than 2,500 families a year. Learn more at ywcaofasheville.org.
Before you comment
The comments section is here to provide a platform for civil dialogue on the issues we face together as a local community. Xpress is committed to offering this platform for all voices, but when the tone of the discussion gets nasty or strays off topic, we believe many people choose not to participate. Xpress editors are determined to moderate comments to ensure a constructive interchange is maintained. All comments judged not to be in keeping with the spirit of civil discourse will be removed and repeat violators will be banned. See here for our terms of service. Thank you for being part of this effort to promote respectful discussion.