FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 20, 2010

CONTACT:
Contact Person:  Valerie Jackson Jones
Company Name:  Community Association for the Welfare of School Children
Voice Phone Number: 225-924-7506
FAX Number:  225-924-5165
Email Address: info@cawsc.org
Website URL: www.cawsc.org

CAWSC COMMUNITY GARDEN IN ZION CITY

BATON ROUGE, LA, MAY 20, 2010

The Community Association for the Welfare of School Children (CAWSC), a United Way assisted agency, has received grant funding and technical assistance from the LSU Kiwanis and the Capital Resource Conservation & Development Council.

The CAWSC is using the grant funding and assistance to set up a Community Garden on vacant lots they own in a low to moderate income area in North Baton Rouge, La. The objective of this project is to increase recreational, educational, improve the quality of life, and enhance economic opportunities for the people in Zion City, through the creation of the Community Gardens, states Valerie Jackson Jones, Executive Director with CAWSC.

Fran Bartee, President of the Capital RC&D Council in Hammond, La who helped CAWSC locate funding, said that this is a step in the right direction. “We are attempting to address the quality of life issues here, you teach families how to garden, and they can feed themselves, said Bartee”. The LSU Kiwanis of Baton Rouge, La, provided a donation for supplies. Their spokesmen, Blaine Grimes, President, said the Kiwanis were happy to provide the assistance as they are willing to contribute to a better Baton Rouge. 

The Community Gardens, will assist the participants in saving money on their food bills, provide a relaxing way to exercise and enjoy being out of doors, help to beautify the neighborhood, bring neighborhoods closer together, help with air pollution, and assist with reduction of crime. The East Baton Rouge Parish School system Acceleration Academy School will assist CAWSC with the management of the gardens. Their Principal, Vincent Perry said, their students are excited about being contacted to manage the garden, to physically learn how plants are grown and managed, and will use the proceeds from the vegetables to continue the program for years to come.

People attending the ground breaking ceremony:
School Board Members W. T. Winfield & Vereta Lee; Mrs. Mildred Clark (101 year old founder of CAWSC); State Rep. Regina Barrow; State Farm Insurance Anna Jones; Neighbor JoAnn Franklin; CAWSC Board Member Marjorie Green; City Councilwoman Ronnie Edwards; United Way CEO Karen Profita; United Way Staff Joy Bruce, WTQT Radio Kerwin Fealing; East Baton Rouge Redevelopment Authority Vickie R. Smith; Horticulturist Nelson Frazier; Community Liaison Ronald Johnson; United Way Community Investment Chair Bob Barton; United Way Staff Ann Ourso; neighbor Betty McCalaeb; USDA Coordinator Donny Latiolois; neighbor Rev and Mrs. Anthony Allen; and EBR Acceleration Academy Cory Washington, Rubian Sterling, and Brandon Johnson.

More information on the program can be obtained by calling the Community Association for the Welfare of School Children (CAWSC) office in Baton Rouge at 225-924-7506.

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