BY SUSAN SAJDAK
Special to the Clarkston News
Nearly a dozen high school juniors and seniors stepped up and pitched in this month when the call came for a few helping hands and broad shoulders to assure the success of a long-standing community tradition.
Clarkston Farm and Garden Club members plan, organize, publicize and create holiday decorations in preparation for the annual Holiday Greens Market, overflowing with fresh greens, either by the bundle or in custom-made arrangements, wreaths, roping, and cemetery blankets. However, maturity and nearly 30 years of experience told club members the three days plus blitz of set-up, display, and clean-up needed something new – and young.
Club President Denise Lipusch called on Kathy Yeloushan, a 10-year club member with a longer history of involvement in school programs and projects. Yeloushan turned to Amy Holbein, advisor of the National Honor Society at Clarkston High School. The school maintains a website where community needs along with dates, number of students, and times needed are posted, Yeloushan explained.
“Slots for set-up day filled fast,” Yeloushan said, including one with the name of her grandson, Ike Yeloushan.
Word spread and more students, such as Levi Moore, whose grandmother Debi Moore is an active Garden Club member and past chair of the summer Garden Walk, asked to be included.
Parker Hubbard, who came over from Renaissance High School, helped customers with heavy packages the day of the Greens Market and said he was happy to assist.
“Why not help,” said Colleen Hardman, another of the group. “My mom loves nature, and so does my grandma.”
Volunteers also included Ryan Ludwa, Drew Darin, Logan McGivern, Nick Merritt, Sydney Hasenfratz, Ashley Elinski, Natalie Parks, Katie Knight and Sophie Little. Altogether, the students were an outstanding example of Clarkston’s strong sense of community and family values, members agreed.
These young people likely had no clue volunteering their time was an opportunity to build job skills like collaboration and problem-solving, “but they sure were having fun,” said Judy Hespen, who assembled the market’s raffle basket and shepherded record sales. “They did a lot of the dirty, yucky, work, and helped make Greens Market the best ever.”
“We were so grateful to see them set up display tables, haul full boxes and break down empty ones,” said Creative Chair Anita Andes, next year’s Greens Market coordinator. “They swept floors, pulled up tarps, and carried purchases – all with a smile. It was a very good experience for us and our customers.”
Andes and Sherry Cormier-Kuhn made arrangements as a thank-you to the volunteer students. The festive gifts, along with the tasty lunches and holiday treats, helped keep the students happy and hard at work.
“Greens Market is coming together as friends while raising money that immediately goes toward the community,” explained Andes. “These kids fit right in.”
“It’s true,” Lipusch said. “The Farm and Garden Club’s fund-raising efforts support the teachers with grants, the students with projects and scholarships, and various beautification projects in Clarkston. It was a thrill to see these students recognize our value to the community and, in the spirit of the holidays, step up to help. They completely felt our appreciation. In fact, the juniors have already promised to come back next year.”