WESTFIELD — As part of its commitment to community service, The Rake and Hoe Garden Club, Inc. of Westfield visited The Jardine Academy on April 11. Members decorated the Spring Tree with 100 paper rainbow-spotted leopards designed by Mary Lou Nolas and made by fellow club members.
The ornaments represent Spot, the main character in the book “Put Me in the Zoo,” by Robert Lopshire. Spot is a leopard that can change his spots. He longs to be put in the zoo, but the zoo won’t take him. He shows a little boy and girl all the wonderful things he can do, and they find the right home for him.
The Spring Tree stands in the school lobby for all to see. A copy of the book was donated to the school’s library, and each student will be given an ornament to take home.
Operated by the Cerebral Palsy League and accredited through The Middle States Association, The Jardine Academy educates children and young adults, ages 3 to 21, with multiple disabilites.
The Rake and Hoe Garden Club meets on the second Wednesday of the month, at 12 p.m., at the Shady Rest Country Club in Scotch Plains. Each meeting includes a guest speaker to educate members in the art and science of gardening, horticulture, floral design and nature photography. Club members perform many community service projects throughout the year.
For more information or to join The Rake and Hoe Garden Club, contact Cathy Becker at cathymbecker@gmail.com or visit the club’s website, rakeandhoegc.org, or its Facebook page.
