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Goal

Every year we renovate our "friendship" with the "FRIENDSHIP GARDEN" at Lely HIgh School. It is a deep relationship kept through the space and time devoted to it, and, mostly, a fantastic opportunity for students to build a deep relationship with themselves and with others, working at something tangible they will remember for life: THIS IS ESSENTIALLY THE GOAL. 

What will be done with my students

Students will be involved in:
- repainting and restoring the decorative items of the garden (a boat, two benches, four picnic tables, a well made with car tires, recicled planters,...);
- purchasing, potting, and taking care of plants (which we are not allowed to plant in the ground);
- mulching the path;
- fertilizing the grass;
- trimming the trees.
- making the garden attractive with outdoor art.
All activities are carried out in the afternoon and on Saturday mornings. The students are very dedicated, to the point of organizing games and entertainment for fellow students in the garden area during the year. 

Benefits to my students

The "WE DINE TOGETHER" students I advise live a legacy of commitment and cherish the garden as if it was a "friend." They want to sustain this friendship year after year, because, through the working experience they share, they get to know each other better and they get to know themselves. The older students who will graduate this year are determined to involve undeclassmen because..."the garden has to go on!" The excuse for achiving a result, a product, benefits them through the process they live. They tell other students, "Come and work with us in the garden! Yes! WE are the ones who look after the garden!" They feel they are doing something special and unique, which makes them proud and visible. In today's day and age, our youth need to build self-esteem through positive experiences: this is how the WE DINE TOGETHER "FRIENDSHIP GARDEN" at Lely High School has been impacting not just the students directly involved, but also all users of the garden over the past three years. Here are some examples of last year's involvement:
* the students belonging to the Engineering Club conceived and built an irrigation system for the garden.
* The MC2 students (one of our Special Education classes) tremendously contributed to the well-being of the garden by taking care of the plants on a weekly basis.
* The Weight Training and Football athletes helped move the heavy decorative items from the garden to the warehouse at the end of the school year.  

Budget Narrative

The items listed are what would enable us to "rekindle" the "FRIENDSHIP GARDEN" at Lely High School. Every year, in fact, we need to renew the plants, potting, mulching, and painting to be able to recreate the garden grounds. We would like to rename the garden as the "FRIENDSHIP and GRATITUDE GARDEN," to acknowledge our Sponsors' generosity, by adding an outdoor banner. We would also like to hand out a "FRIENDSHIP AND GRATITUDE" bracelet to all students involved.
THANK YOU! 

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