Hi Father Chuck:

Not running the Chicago Marathon today but, here in Belleville, Ontario, I've been conducting a gardening marathon for over a year .
The Other Side of the River Gardeners' motto is creating a safe neighbourhood one flower at a time. The west side of the city is reported as having the lowest income per capita.

Landowners who participate allow us to plant trees and flowers. Their cost is soil and mulch. Perennials are donated by local nurseries and fellow gardeners. The adult labour is free and if we hire unemployed youth, they are paid $10 an hour.

Litter has decreased and gardens have not been vandalized. People stop and thank us for creating the flower beds for them.

When we plant on city land, we don't ask permission. What is asked is forbidden, what is done is forgiven.

Just want to encourage you to run a gardening marathon. Create beautiful street scapes which green our urban areas, reduce crime and improve mental health.

Donna