Lt. Governor Rutherford Participates in Planting of New Community Garden and Celebrates Renovation

 City Officials Join Lt. Governor at BIGGYS Community Center in West Baltimore

ANNAPOLIS, MD – Lt. Governor Boyd K. Rutherford today was joined by Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, Captain Steve Hohman of the Southwest District of the Baltimore City Police Department, and Baltimore City residents to participate in the planting of a new community garden at BIGGYS Community Center. BIGGYS, which stands for “Because Intensive Giving Gets You Started,” is located at 3100 Presstman Street in West Baltimore.

“This is a perfect example of how the state and city can work together in rebuilding our communities,” said Lt. Governor Rutherford. “Governor Hogan and I commend the participants in today’s event and hope this spirit of giving and volunteerism continues in the weeks and months to come.”

The Home Depot and Bell Nursery served as corporate partners for the rebuild and restoration of BIGGYS. The Home Depot donated more than $50,000 in materials for a new roof, kitchen, and flooring and provided more than 80 volunteers. Bell Nursery donated the flowers and vegetables for the community garden. In total, The Home Depot and Bell Nursery donated more than $150,000 in materials and manpower for BIGGYS restoration.

Additionally, the Governor’s Office of Community Initiatives (GOCI), which advises Governor Hogan and Lt. Governor Rutherford on policies and initiatives to enhance and improve community relations, has worked with community and recreation centers across Baltimore such as BIGGYS to help young children, teenagers, and senior citizens have a place in their community for after-school and summer activities.

“I applaud The Home Depot and Bell Nursery for serving as the lead corporate partners for the restoration of BIGGYS Community Center,” said Steven J. McAdams, Executive Director of Governor Hogan’s Office of Community Initiatives. “My hope is more corporations will step up and help other community centers across Baltimore and the state of Maryland.”

Following the community rebuild at BIGGYS, The Home Depot, Bell Nursery, and volunteers will begin a rebuild and restoration project at Martin Luther King Recreation Center. To learn more about the Governor’s Office of Community Initiatives, please visit community.maryland.gov.

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