By GRAHAM BROOKS / Staff Writer

HELENA – On Saturday, April 13, the Helena Beautification Board hosted its annual Planting Day that helped beautify several areas of Old Town Helena.

The annual event was staffed solely with volunteers from the community who gathered at the Caboose Welcome Center in Old Town where they received hands-on education on how to plant the hanging baskets and pole planters that have come to symbolize the start of spring time in Helena.

A total of 28 baskets were planted in April using about 200 plants of different varieties. Annuals were also planted during the event in planters at the welcome center and at city hall.

“As a part of our commitment to sustainability, we wanted to source local plants wherever possible,” Helena Beautification Board Vice Chairman Brian Puckett said. “This board worked hard over the past year to find sources for plants that are grown right here in the state. I’m proud to announce that every plant we are using for this year’s planting day were grown right here in Alabama.”

“In keeping with the Beautification Board’s mission of improving education and to create a sense of community for the residents of Helena, our approach to beautification is somewhat different,” Board Chairman Chris VanCleave said. “There is something to be said for citizens gathering together to accomplish a common goal and with over 75 volunteers ranging in age from 13-75 turning out this year to help, a lot of knowledge was shared. Some friendships were made and in the process, we cultivate more than plants, we cultivate an enriched sense of belonging and self-worth that comes from knowing you helped create something beautiful we all can enjoy.”

To learn more about the plants used for the Old Town baskets, visit Helenabeautiful.com/baskets.html.

The Helena Beautification Board is an appointed board of the Helena City Council. The board believes that people and places are profoundly connected and thriving communities are rooted in individual responsibility and action. They host a variety of opportunities for the community to come together and serve each year. Events are posted on the Helena Beautiful Facebook page and announced via Twitter at @TweetHomeHelena.