Associated Students’ Community Affairs Board collaborated with the Edible Campus Program to host “Seniors & Soil” on Feb. 21. Student volunteers spent the afternoon crafting elevated garden beds for residents living at the Friendship Manor retirement community.
Student volunteers spent the afternoon crafting elevated garden beds for residents living at the Friendship Manor retirement community. Elijah Obando / Daily Nexus
The Community Affairs Board (C.A.B.) aims to make gardening accessible for seniors with mobility issues through the creation of elevated garden beds. The new beds were also meant to replace many preexisting ones that were old and damaged.
According to Ben Wollack, a third-year environmental studies major and the senior citizen coordinator for C.A.B., the event was used to rebuild the lost “green space” that occurred after UC Santa Barbara bought the plot of land that lies between Friendship Manor and Tropicana Gardens.
“This used to be a plot where the Friendship Manor seniors could just hang around outside, and they had garden beds around here,” Wollack said. “The seniors didn’t really get a say in this choice, so when they heard about [the purchase of the plot of land], they were really upset.”
Student volunteers pose with the completed garden beds. Courtesy of Ben Wollack
A Friendship Manor newsletter sent out in January clarified that the plot of land was never an official part of Friendship Manor.
Bob Risser, a resident at Friendship Manor, showed his appreciation for the students who volunteered.
“[The students,] that’s the best part. They’re all good. I’m glad that they all came and showed up because that was a good thing,” Risser said.
A version of this article appeared on p. 6 of the Feb. 26, edition of the Daily Nexus.
Reading this made me smile. Community projects like this always remind me how simple things can mean so much. My grandmother lived in a senior home for a few years, and the days when volunteers came by were the ones everyone talked about the most. Gardening especially brings people together. Even if someone can’t bend down easily, touching soil or planting a small herb can spark memories from decades ago. I’ve noticed older people light up when they share stories about gardens they once had. It’s similar to when you help someone with everyday things, even finding something like a… Read more »
It’s great to see students getting involved in meaningful community projects like this. Building raised garden beds for seniors not only helps make gardening more accessible for residents with mobility challenges, but it also creates a wonderful opportunity for intergenerational connection. Initiatives like these show how small acts of service can make a big difference in strengthening community relationships and improving quality of life.https://propertymanagementcompany.uk/
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