![Core Value Accountability Blog: Vista's Rotaract Community Garden]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1662758266/vista/wqrqwios5p7furydzmgo/Rotaract.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1662758266/vista/wqrqwios5p7furydzmgo/Rotaract.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1662758266/vista/wqrqwios5p7furydzmgo/Rotaract.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1662758266/vista/wqrqwios5p7furydzmgo/Rotaract.png","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1662758266/vista/wqrqwios5p7furydzmgo/Rotaract.png","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1662758266/vista/wqrqwios5p7furydzmgo/Rotaract.png","width":2200}])
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Several years ago, Vista created a set of nine Core Values that describe what is important to us as we work to impact the lives of individuals with disabilities and the broader community. For 2022, we have chosen to focus our blog series on these Core Values - telling the story of our students and members and our organization through this important and powerful lens.
September Core Value Highlight: ACCOUNTABILITY
As this month of Accountability unfolds, we turn to Vista’s Rotaract Club for its continued success in positively impacting the Vista Community. Since May the Rotaract Club has been busy growing and harvesting their second annual community garden. Club members, staff, leaders, and community members have come together to maintain the garden that provides fresh vegetables for student/member social gatherings such as Vista Cafés. Rotaract's dedication and patience have paid off in the form of many tomatoes, cucumbers, heads of lettuce, peppers, and eggplants.
Vegetables from Vista's Rotaract Club Summer Harvest
The idea for a Vista Rotaract Community Garden originally sprouted in 2021. With the help of Vista’s Rotaract Advisor Michael Perry and former Guilford Rotarian, Bill Stableford, a grant from the Rotary District was used to fund this project. Vista greatly appreciates the effort Michael and Bill have put into creating this enriching opportunity for Vista’s students, members, and staff.
Vista's Rotaract Club members, staff, leader, and community member and Rotarian Michael Perry.
Vista’s Rotaract Vice President, Margaret Carpenter-Dove, said, "It is really nice to contribute to my Vista Community. Knowing that my peers enjoy these vegetables is a great reward." Margret has played a key role in ensuring the success of the garden.
Brittany Czajkowski—Vista's Quality of Life Manager and leader of Vista’s Rotaract Club—said, "I enjoyed sharing in the excitement with each member of the club as the garden took full bloom." She was proud to see everyone display a true sense of responsibility and teamwork to keep the garden healthy.
Vista's Rotaract Club Members tending to the garden
Along with the change of season comes the time for the Rotaract Club to turn over the vegetable beds and commence the fall harvest. The process of growth will repeat itself as students and members enact the core value of Accountability and recognize the strength within themselves to make an impact.
More to come!