The third time was a charm for the Rye YMCA’s Togetherhood Committee, which had planned community service projects at the Rye Nature Center in May and June only to have them cancelled due to weather and other factors.

On a recent sunny and mild morning, 12 adults and 12 children gathered at the Nature Center to help prepare the garden for winter. Led by A.J. Johnson, Associate Director of Outreach Services and Volunteers, and Togetherhood Committee member Lisa Urban, families enthusiastically cleared the beds and covered them with straw. Several children also helped build frames for new garden beds, taking turns hammering nails and measuring the space.

Togetherhood is a YMCA social responsibility initiative that engages Y members and local residents in community service projects. Through Togetherhood, the Y has partnered with Don Bosco Community Center, St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, Bread of Life Food Pantry, the American Cancer Society, and The Sharing Shelf.

The next Togetherhood project — making holiday cards for the organization Cards for Hospitalized Kids — will be held December 1 during Santa’s visit to the Rye Y.

Photos by Hannah Blake