Friends of Laurelwood Arboretum Honors 100-hour Volunteers

Alice Moskowitz

To mark National Volunteer Month in April, Friends of Laurelwood Arboretum (FOLA) honored 33 people who recorded 100 hours or more of volunteer work in the arboretum or on the Board of Directors or its committees.

At the annual Volunteer Kickoff in April, FOLA honored a group of 100-hour volunteers. Pictured from left, back row: Betty Montagne, Margaret Kerstner, Nancy Alexander, David Kooistra, Elaine Fogerty, Rick Wild, and Tom Hennessey. Front row: Carl Lukens, Sara McHugh, Kathy Hetherington, Bonnie Joachim, Jane Van Eeuwen, Barbara Hegranes, Jim McHugh, Alex Fadynich, Joan Scott-Miller, and Nancy Fadynich. Seated: Carol Huber, June Ra, Audrey Malec, Lillian Sayeg and Patricia Engrissei. Not in photo: John Crowell, Joe DiGiacomo, Ruth Hayden, Dawn Healey, John Hegranes, Gerri Lowry, Peter Lowry, Bill Mains, Alice Moskowitz, Jean Reynolds, and Roland Reynolds.

“With a small seasonal gardening staff for the arboretum, there is lots of work for volunteers to do,” said Laurelwood’s Executive Director Elaine Fogerty. “Our onsite volunteers help weed, mulch, prune and plant. Some also help with construction projects to maintain the bridges, paths, greenhouses and other structures.”

The volunteer season at Laurelwood is now well underway. Volunteers are welcome to work in the park any Tuesday or Friday through October. Laurelwood Arboretum is located at 725 Pines Lake Drive West in Wayne. Individuals can drop in on a Tuesday or Friday and do not need to sign up in advance. They should bring water, small hand tools and gardening gloves, if they have them. Groups are asked to call 973-202-9579 to make arrangements in advance.

There are also many volunteer opportunities that are not outdoors. The FOLA Board of Directors manages more than 25 committees and welcomes volunteers to help as tour guides, event coordinators, writers, graphic designers, fundraisers, and in many other areas.

FOLA volunteers include students, scouts, corporate groups, Passaic County Master Gardeners and private citizens of all ages. For further information about volunteering and to be directed to the area that best fits your needs, interests and talents, please send an email to info@laurelwoodarboretum.org or call 973-202-9579.