Montgomery County Girl Scouts Build Garden For New RV Habitat Homeowner
Bedminster, NJ (June 16, 2022) Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity’s newest homeowner, Cicely Caldwell, is enjoying beautiful landscaping, a wildlife-proof vegetable garden, and an herb garden this summer thanks to Girl Scout Troop 60626 from Montgomery Township. Each scout contributed 50 hours to the project and earned a Silver Award, the highest achievement scouts can earn at their level.
“After reading an article about the first Habitat for Humanity home to be built in Montgomery Township, the scouts knew they wanted to get involved,” said team leader Jen Seamons. “They learned that what they do matters; that they can be productive and useful; and that they can make a difference.”
They also learned significant lessons about patience and perseverance, as the project began just before the Covid 19 pandemic. Throughout that time, the scouts—all high school freshmen–held several zoom calls with Caldwell and Construction Administrator David Polomski. They delivered snack bags for the Women’s Build Day and met with local community members to discuss their plans. In February 2022, they were thrilled to attend the Caldwell Family’s home dedication in person.
To organize and accept donations, the troop created a website. Board and Brush in Kendall Park welcomed the scouts into their studio to create decorative signs and an herb box. Local residents opened home gardens to help the girls formulate a design. Blooms at Belle Mead helped them design and select plants for the landscaping. South Brunswick Home Depot donated supplies for the vegetable garden, as well as clean-up bags and water for the volunteers. Friends, family, and community members donated plants, pots, and raised flower beds.
“These girls make you feel good about the future,” said Polomski. “They dug beds, planted trees, mulched—all in 90+ degree heat. It was a job very well done.”
About Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity
Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity (RV Habitat) puts God’s love into action and brings people together to build homes, communities, and hope. Our vision is a time when everyone in Hunterdon and Somerset counties has a decent place to live. Since 1991, RV Habitat has been building strength, stability, and self-reliance through affordable homeownership opportunities.
RV Habitat is currently building a duplex in Raritan Township for two new homeowner families, working toward building a Veteran home in Somerville, and growing our Repair Program. To support these projects by making a donation, please visit www.rvhabitat.org/give or mail a donation to Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity, P.O. Box 330, Pluckemin, NJ 07978. For individuals and groups who would like to volunteer, visit rvhabitat.org/volunteer. To shop, donate, or volunteer at our ReStore, visit rvhabitatrestore.org.