Wheatley Farms and Arts Center welcomed 72 sophomores from Portledge School for a day of inclusive volunteering on March 11.

Working alongside people supported by AHRC Day Services, students participated in a variety of activities benefiting the wider community,  rotating through four stations across Wheatley Farms and the AHRC campus.

At the farm, students cleaned out animal enclosures and assisted with garden maintenance. In the Brookville mansion ballroom, volunteers decorated and assembled 80 lunch kits for NOSH Delivers!, a local food pantry and longtime community partner. At the farmhouse two groups created 80 birthday kits, with an aluminum pan and everything needed to make a cake, for NOSH. Another activity included making three quilts and a box of toys for animals from upcycled clothing.

“We’re grateful to the Portledge students for bringing such positive energy and purpose to this day of service,” said Jerri Walker, Director of Wheatley Farms & Arts Center.  “Working together with volunteers from Day Services, the students built connections while supporting local nonprofits that make our shared community more welcoming and inclusive.”

For Justin Moore, who has honed his horticulture skills at Day Services by volunteering at the farm and greenhouse, the day was an opportunity to share his skills and demonstrate how to clear bushes, pull weeds, and prepare the area for spring planting.

“I took out the weeds from the plants,” Justin Moore, said. “We walked up to the mansion. It was fun. I liked working with the kids.”

Portledge students Caden Yang, Sebastian Reale, Aarosh Srivastava, and Aidan O’Rourke also had a positive experience.

“I really liked making the birthday cakes,” Aarosh said. “It was more hands-on and interactive.”

Both Caden and Sebastien ranked gardening as their favorite activity.

Following the volunteer projects, students gathered for lunch and completed a reflection exercise highlighting the day’s high points and what they learned.

Wheatley Farms welcomes community groups, schools, and organizations to engage in enriching activities such as inclusive volunteering. Individuals or groups interested in volunteering at Wheatley Farms are encouraged to visit www.ahrc.org/volunteer.