Oakwood garden to grow again

Volunteers of last year’s Project Save-A-Life Community Garden pose with Mr. Scarecrow after a hard day’s planting. Photo by Melissa Missildine The Spirit of God Ministries, Inc. has obtained its 5013C non-profit status from the IRS and can now move forward in the quest to receive a $40,000 grant to go forward with their building plans. They have already secured a location at 251 Wiley Street in Oakwood to build the new facilities that will house the new C.H.A.N.G.E Youth Center and Library.

It will be a place where children of all ages can come to receive tutoring and mentoring, and to just hang out in a safe environment.

In the meantime, Pastor Larry Allen of The Miracle Church and CEO of SOGM, is excited about some of the upcoming events on the calendar. The Second Annual Black History Month Celebration is on February 21, 2010 at 3:00Pm at the Miracle Church at 1544 W. Broad St. (HWY 79) in Oakwood. There will be a Black Art Exhibit, singers, and spirtual dancers. Anyone wishing to participate may call Pastor Allen at 903-545-0014 to discuss how you or your group can join in the celebration. Everyone is encouraged to wear traditional African attire.

The second annual Project Save-A-Life Garden Project will get underway in March. James Tryon got the ground ready for seed last year and has volunteered to do so again this year. Once plowed, Terry Keeling and other volunteers from the Leon County Master Gardner's Association, will come in to oversee the planting, just as they did last year. The children of the community will plant the seeds at the Planting Party on March 20, 2010 at 12:00 noon. Oakwood Cub Scout Pack 610 will be leading a flag ceremony and helping with the planting. Pastor Allen is hoping for even more children and more volunteers from the community this year. This project was such a success last year, that there just weren't enough people to harvest and deliver the goods to the shut-ins and needy in the area. Anyone who would like to be a part of this community garden by volunteering to plant, harvest, or deliver or to donate garden supplies and seeds, may also contact Pastor Allen. The garden will be located beside the Miracle Church in the same location as last year's garden.