Thanks to the creative action of long time volunteer John LaPorte, a local resident and architect, we managed to get a donation of great plants from 616 Development for re-use at one of our single family homes.

Driving past the site on the corner of Grove Street NE and Plainfield Ave NE, which 616 Development will be turning into mixed-use apartments at some point, John saw any number of plants there that could be salvaged. As part of the Grand Rapids North Kiwanis Club, John has been at many New Development construction sites and knows firsthand how hard we work to develop landscaping at our rehabilitated homes. In fact, he annually donates (and often delivers) ornamental grasses from his own yard. A quick note of inquiry to 616 Development resulted in permission to dig up plants and a small team of folks arrived to do just that.

The resulting pants were re-utilized at the house we are completing at 228 Spencer NE, which is right around the corner from the salvage site. Volunteers, including NDC Board President Tom Deschaine and his wife Jodi, arrived to get the plants back in the ground. The plants have taken off and the lawn is beginning to pop up, despite the summer heat.

Installation was completed just a few days before Pastor Sean Baker of Creston CRC came with members of his congregation to bless the home.

THANKS to all involved for helping to make this project possible!