Trading desks for dirt: A recap of our Earth Month volunteer efforts

This April, our associates traded their desks for dirt to celebrate Earth Month. Our volunteer efforts through our Give Back to Gro program are contributing to the America Gives initiative. The America250 initiative wants to make 2026 the largest year of volunteer service in U.S. history. From Columbus to Canada, our teams focused on making a tangible difference in the health and resilience of our local communities.

Our first week focused on park beautification in Columbus, Ohio. A team of 11 associates joined Keep America Beautiful’s Greatest American Cleanup at Antrim Park.

We focused on:

• Litter pick-up along popular walking trails.
• Clearing debris around the shelter house.
• Ensuring green spaces remained pristine for spring visitors.

In week two, 30 volunteers headed to The Garden District Southside Fruit Farm in Columbus. This project directly supports local food access by maintaining a free community u-pick garden.

Our efforts included:

• Planting new tree shrubs and refreshing landscape beds.
• Preparing the u-pick garden for the growing season.
• Connecting associates with the local community through hands-on farm work.

During week three, 11 associates supported the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Ohio. RMHC provides a "home away from home" for families with children in medical treatment.

Our work supported their community garden, which provides fresh produce to reduce the house's food costs.

On Earth Day, a team of 20 associates joined Mid-Ohio Farm on the Hilltop. We focused on the farm's mission to end hunger through collective farm work, including:

• Mulching and weeding beds.
• Preparing sunflower and asparagus gardens.
• Building a more nourishing community through shared labor.

Our commitment to Earth Month extends to our team in Canada. Over 35 employees from our Mississauga headquarters partnered with our associate group, Scotts Women's Network (SWN), to clean up Lake Aquitaine Park. This activity ensures local green spaces remain vibrant and healthy for the community.

By combining Earth Month and National Volunteer Week, we’ve invested in the long-term health of our communities. We are thankful for all of our associates who stepped away from their desks to make an impact.