Boxerwood has so many volunteers that make things happen on the grounds, in the education programs, and at our community events. It is both a joy to recognize the efforts of one particular volunteer while also wishing him a heartfelt goodbye as he begins a new chapter in a new city. Aaron Lemire has been volunteering at Boxerwood since 2018. His passion for permaculture and gardening translated well as he planted tree seedlings and found volunteer tree saplings to plant in pots or relocate.
This spring and summer, he stepped up to help out even more while we were understaffed in the garden. But just seasons come and go in the garden, Aaron found a work opportunity out of state in August. Our hearts are both heavy to see him go and soaring at the prospect of his new adventure! Aaron, we hope you will find a new place to give his time and talents in nature. No matter how far you go, you’ll always belong at Boxerwood.
Kierstyn Wise, a junior at W&L University, was an invaluable asset to Boxerwood this summer. She came to us through the Shepherd Poverty Studies internship program and served from early June through mid-August. She honed her skills working with our educators at some of our grant funded camps and the YMCA summer program. She also flexed her creative muscles prepping projects for later educational use. Kierstyn, we hope your time at Boxerwood created great memories of Rockbridge County for you, and come visit us again soon. We promise not to make you hot glue any more pinecone turtles (unless you want to)!
