![]() Our major fundraiser in the summer is a BBQ and Bingo with a silent auction. In the spring, 200 4th graders from Jefferson School are bussed out to the site (spread out over 2 days) to hear about the life of soldiers in the Civil War from reenactors in uniform, learn about the importance of spinning and weaving in the 1800s, play 1800s games and dance an 1800s line dance, and help mix up a batch of “johnnycake” that they see cooking over an open fire, then taste the finished product. Later in the fall we will install live plants donated by the Douglas Hart Nature Center and in November, scatter seed of butterfly-attracting plants and cover them with straw for the winter. Members of the Urban Butterfly Initiative graciously mulched a border around the perimeter to deter grass invasion and provide paths to stroll through the garden. So far we have tilled and applied herbicide to the area to make way for the butterfly-friendly plants. When the forge is completed, it will serve as a blacksmith and carpenter shop, historical display and a community gathering space.Īnother current project is establishing a Butterfly Garden on the corner of our lot. We enjoyed the ambiance of its shelter for the summer programs. Our latest major project, still in progress, is the deconstruction and reconstruction of an 1880s barn on a corner of the 5 Mile House site. Every other Sunday afternoon during the summer and fall, free music and historical programs are put on by local groups and speakers. It is now a thriving 501 c 3 charitable organization. A group of concerned citizens banded together in 1998 to purchase and renovate it. Fit-2-Serve is also open to having college students serve as interns to support our mission to equip people for works of service.Įmail: Five Mile House Historic site is the oldest house in Coles County! Built sometime in the 1840s (no records exist to prove its actual date), it was slated to be demolished for a gas station site. Volunteers can “drop – in” or schedule a “day at the garden” as a student group or class. In addition, we participate in several local Farmers Markets promoting the benefits of fresh and locally grown produce by providing recipes and instructions on how to prepare and use fresh vegetables and fruits. Several local restaurants partner with Fit-2-Serve to purchase produce. In partnership with the Mattoon Family YMCA, summer campers come to the garden for first hand experience in gardening practices. Beginning in June, we host “A Day in the Garden” each Saturday from 9 to 11am. ![]() In season, we recruit volunteers to assist in all things gardening…from spring planting to fall harvest. We honor the time donated by our volunteers, and do our best to make it a truly unique experience where they are encouraged to lead with their talents and skills.įit-2-Serve maintains several community gardens in Mattoon. Community Bridges is longitudinal programming offered to local elementary schools and completely volunteer supported. Our mission is to ‘equip people for works of service’ our vision is to be a catalyst in creating a stronger, collaborative community through relational restoration. Fit-2-Serve is local, grass-roots, not-for-profit organization.
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