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Horticulture program celebrates Earth Day 2014

by jmaloni

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Tue, Apr 15th 2014 12:25 pm

Earth Day will be celebrated Tuesday, April 22. In Niagara County, the event will be marked by a partnership between Opportunities Unlimited and two First Niagara bank branches.

Seed packets will be distributed free of charge, while supplies last, to First Niagara customers at 7350 Niagara Falls Blvd. (Niagara Falls branch), and 4381 Military Road (Town of Niagara branch). Individuals with intellectual and other developmental disabilities who participate in the Opportunities Unlimited of Niagara's day programs in Wheatfield and the Town of Niagara will distribute the seed packets - some store-bought and some created by the individuals.

The project is an undertaking of the horticultural therapy program, which teaches participants to grow plants and vegetables from seed, nurture them, harvest them and create arrangements for sale to the public.

The primary goal of Earth Day is to inspire awareness and appreciation for the environment. The first Earth Day was celebrated April 22, 1970. It was specifically designed as an environmental awareness program. Its aim was to educate participants about the importance of conserving the environment. In 1990, Denis Hayes organized a global Earth Day. It was observed in more than 140 countries by 200 million people.

For nearly 60 years, Opportunities Unlimited of Niagara has been providing training, supported employment, community volunteering, technology, service coordination, exceptional parenting, recreation (youth and adult), residential, geriatric, fine arts, horticulture therapy and health-related support services to people with intellectual and other developmental disabilities - from newborn to seniors, and their families throughout Niagara County.

For more information about the greenhouse or the agency, call 716-504-2617 or visit www.opportunitiesunlimited.org.

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