Wallace Flower Project looks for volunteers

WALLACE— It's time to get down and dirty for the beauty of Wallace!

The Wallace Flower Project (WFP) asks for volunteers starting Saturday, May 14, at 9 a.m. at Weeping Birch Park, located at Second and Cypress. WFP is looking to plant more than 2000 flowers in 200-plus baskets and hay racks to grace the Second Street corridor, the Sixth Street Park, and light posts throughout Wallace's residential and business areas.

Volunteers can show up Saturday morning, with those not available on Saturday but who want to participate are invited to come the previous day on Friday to help fill the baskets with potting soil and fertilizer granules.

Shoshone News-Press previously reported on WFP, alongside Wallace Jr./Sr. High Advanced Woods and Advanced Metals students, working together to build benches for the Sixth Street Park. At the helm of this project is Committee President Elmer Matilla, working alongside HS shop teacher Brandon Voorhees.

“Last year, Elmer reached out to me and wanted to see if I was interested in the students building some benches for his flower committee,” explained Voorhees. “We went back and forth with design ideas, and he was going to get together some of the funding through his committee.”

The students working on this project are excited to have a personal connection with what they are building, and placing in their town.

After planting, the baskets will be stored in the greenhouse for three weeks to enable the flowers to acclimate before City employees and volunteers place them throughout the town.

This is the twelfth year for the Wallace Flower Project, a partnership of the city, local foundations, and supporters. This beautification would not be possible without the support of the City of Wallace, Frank A. Morbeck Foundation, Callahan Zeller Foundation, and the Harry F. Magnuson Foundation. In addition, an arrangement between Hecla and the City provides summer employment for one to three youth whose tasks include daily watering of the flowers.

Since its inception, the Wallace Flower Project has provided a colorful welcome to summer guests and an endless beauty to be enjoyed by residents. The project represents a $10,000 annual investment when considering flowers, baskets and liners, soil, fertilizer, greenhouse improvements, and other expenses.

The Wallace Flower Project is a nonprofit operating under the 501 ©3 of Greater Wallace Community Development Corp. The committee appreciates individual donations or gifts given as memorials to a loved one. Donations may be made online at growwallace.org to mail to Elmer Mattila, WFP Committee chairman, 315 Pine Street, Wallace, ID 83873.