Glow kids fill bags of blackjacks at Alberts Farm

A group of children who frequent Alberts Farm recently decided to join hands and help clean up their beloved park.

The children’s group, God Loves Our World (Glow) which is the children’s division of the Seventh Day Adventist Church in Roosevelt Park, often come to enjoy the trees and natural spring.

They decided to tackle the pesty blackjack and spent an hour one hot afternoon picking them, collecting 15 bags full.

The children’s ministry leader, Boni Bowen, said they felt like they were contributing.

“The younger ones were the most enthusiastic. They competed to try and fill the bags first. Each time they brought them to me I put my foot in the bags to stamp down the weeds so they had more space. They thought this was hilarious,” she said.

Bowen also asked the group to think of a spiritual lesson to be learned like when dabbling in things that aren’t good for you, it’s hard to get rid of the influence later – like blackjacks sticking to your clothes.

“Hopefully they also learned that when we benefit and enjoy something it is also our responsibility to contribute and help to maintain that thing, whether it be a relationship or a place.”

Bowen also said that the group decided to help because people have been entrusted with a beautiful place and are responsible to help and maintain that area.

“Alberts Farm is a lovely area in the middle of our city where people can experience beauty, space, and enjoy some of our indigenous plants and birds,” she said.

Alberts Farm is indeed in danger of many things, including alien invasives. The Friends of Alberts Farm Conservancy now also fear that the dam wall might break soon. This volunteer group is in need of assistance by the community and businesses to keep the park beautiful and sustainable. Visit their Facebook page for more information about how you can help.

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