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Show Hilltop Times June 3, 1993 13 Workers well sto ire Hill unit members plant extra crops to donate to Utah's needy come harvest time. by Valerie Burke Hilltop Times staff writer JiLr?vv.' Sow a row for the hungry. Every military member and civilan at Hill AFB is urged to respond to the needs of the hungry in Utah, by growing extra fruits and vegetables this planting season. It doesn't take much, other than a little time, maybe a few extra seeds, lots of muscle and a tremendous amount of heart. "Share the Harvest," a program for distributing surplus produce among less fortunate familes, started eight years ago. Today it has blossomed into one of the most successful humanitarian efforts ever undertaken in Utah to help nourish the needy, said Cathy Mellot, a supply liaison specialist in the Technology and Industrial Support Directorate and also a program chairperson for the program. The idea is so simple. Produce is planted, gleaned by volunteers, and then donated by area farmers and home gardeners during the fall harvest. Items are then packed and distributed to familes in need of ex-tr- a food at no cost. Share the Harvest is a charitable orComganization sponsored by munity, Caring for Others, and is affiliated with Utahns Against Hunger. Mellott got involved with the program a few years back, when she found she had a little extra time on her hands and wanted to donate a portion of it to a worthwhile cause. Today Mellott says she has the biggest donagiven more than just her time tion has been her heart. Mellott was given the responsibility of looking for farmers who were willing to participate. Starting out with six farmers who had shared produce previously, Mellott sought out farmers from Kaysville to Logan and was able to commit an additional 20 farmers. Mellott caught hold of an idea: if it was so easy to involve farmers whose livelihood depended on and those crops, why not ask friends, some of the military units to get involved? When the garden plots on base became available, Mellott did some checking on base and was directed to one of the garden plot monitors, SSgt. Robert Hargreaves of the 84th Radar Evaluation Squadron. Mellott was able to sell the program to Hargreaves, who with the help of his first sergeant, MSgt. Dave Spargur, was able to secure a garden plot and 20 to -- J . non-profi- t, Weber-Ecumenic- al rs Walk-a-tho- n iin'!xr Help for the hungry SSgt. Robert Hargreaves turns the soil while SSgt. Sam Marone operates a tiller to prepare the ground for planting. 25 volunteers from the unit. "The support I received from the 84th RADES was outstanding. They were all eager to jump in and get started. That kind of enthusiasm makes this program work," said Mellot. Hargreaves said the unit decided to get involved because it is a worthwhile cause, and exemplifies commitment. He also said that if any other organization or family would like to participate, a few garden plots are still available. This program is available to anyone in need. But the success of the program depends on the need of people to help others. For information on volunteering to donate food, glean fields or distribute food in the fall, call MelFor information on garden plots, lott at Ext. contact Hargreaves at Ext. raises dollars for Santa, despite weather Despite a little rain during registration for the 4th Annual Sub for Santa n at Hill AFB, the day financial success. A toa be to proved tal of $4,220.70 was collected, and money is still trickling in from walkers who were scared away by the weather or just couldn't make it. Prizes were given to individuals in different age groups who collected the largest dollar amount and a special prize to the single walker who collected the most money. The Hill Sub-fo- r Santa program is a private organization at Hill. Volunteers are both military and civilian and come from organizations across the base. Money collected throughout the year goes into a common fund and is Walk-a-Tho- .Walkers brave the elements to benefit Sub-Jor-Sant- a. 0 't ' . i f4 used to provide Christmas to families who otherwise would not have one. During the past two years, has provided Christmas to more than 500 families. For more information on the program, call Karen Marcus or Kathy Eskelsen at at Ext. Ext. Winners for the largest dollar amount at the 4th Annual Walk-a-Thoand their prizes, Sub-for-San- ta Sub-for-San- Sub-for-San- ta ta n, are: Largest dollar amount: Hazel $100 savings bond. 6 year age group: Mechelle Hay-hurs- t, 11-1- England, boom box. 10 and under age group: Mandy Baker, cassette stereo. |