In May, the Rotary Club of Marietta Metro purchased three new picnic tables, which were made from recycled materials, and power tools including a lawn mower, blower and weed eater for the Reconnecting Our Roots Community Garden.  Located on Lemon Street in Marietta on property owned by Zion Baptist Church, the garden is an oasis in the city for local gardeners to grow their own fruits and vegetables.  This gives neighbors with no yards the chance to enjoy healthy foods they cultivate themselves.  In addition, the garden serves as an educational center guided by the Master Gardeners of Cobb County under the direction of the Cobb County Extension Service, to conduct classes on cultivation, insect control, composting, and the life cycle of plants. “Having the nice picnic tables now enhances the functionality of the space and the new tools will make it easier to keep the garden area neat and attractive,” shared Rotarian

“Having the nice picnic tables now enhances the functionality of the space and the new tools will make it easier to keep the garden area neat and attractive,” shared Rotarian Bob Brown, the club’s project chairman.  “The community utilizes this space for gatherings of many kinds like lunch away from the office, bridal showers and birthday parties, so we can be a part of our community in so many ways in addition to helping the environment and providing nutritious food,” stated Garden Co-Chairs Kathy and Dennis Esler.

The club also provided new living room furniture to the Center for Children and Young Adults. “It is so important and valuable for these young people to feel they are in a safe and homelike setting. The new furniture helps accomplish this and we are grateful to the Rotary Club for the furnishings as well as their support throughout the year in other ways,” stated Jennifer LaBrecque, Grants and Facilities Director for the Center.  The mission of the Center for Children & Young Adults (CCYA) is to provide safe and suitable housing, youth development activities and comprehensive supportive housing services for at-risk homeless youth who have been abandoned, abused, neglected and/or sexually exploited.