On April 3 members of White Rock Rotary Club and John Curtis, District Governor Elect, came together to work on a garden project for the Sisters of the Missionary of Charity in south Dallas.
(Left to right: Blanca Ferro, WRR members, John Curtis)
The project has been going on since 2011 when Samuel Ferro, a member of the club suggested that they provide support for the work of the Sisters in their mission: “To improve the quality of life of the poor and underserved so they can live to their fullest potential, by initiating systemic change, enhancing community connections, serving as a community change agent to advocate for the poor, and promoting innovative strategies to impact the root causes of poverty.” That member has since passed on; however, club members contacted his wife, Blanco Ferro, and suggested that the project be continued in his memory. Each year, Club members are welcomed with open arms to a women’s shelter to till the earth and plant vegetables that when harvested will provide for the Sisters who live there as well as any guests living there throughout the year, neighbors, volunteers, and members of the community. The planting session is a joyous occasion as the air is filled with fun, laughter, and jokes. Our Club buys and transport the variety of vegetable plants while community members do most of the preparation of the land. We arrive with our garden tools, sun visors and strong backs. Blanco Ferro makes sure there are drinks and snacks to keep us going. The Sisters and Community members nurture the plants until harvest time and keeps us informed on the how the garden does all year long and we get reports on how well our efforts have been each year. (Long view of the garden) Our members are working to serve rotary ideals and action plan even as we help to maintain the mission of the Sisters of Charity.
Enid B. Jones, President The Rotary Club of White Rock April 19, 2023