Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, June 24, 1993                   TAG: 9306240413
SECTION: NEIGHBORS                    PAGE: N-10   EDITION: METRO  
SOURCE: LARRY W. BROWN STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

4-H TROOPERS FIND FERTILE GROUND IN LINCOLN TERRACE

The Lincoln Terrace 4-H Troopers are beginning their second summer of planting flower and vegetable gardens across the community. The Troopers and their director, Brenda Campbell, recently held a groundbreaking ceremony to launch their gardening program. They hope to add some beauty to an area often associated with nothing but crime and drugs.

"The children decided they wanted to . . . make some money and do something for the community," Campbell said.

Campbell said she works with about 20 kids at a time, ranging in age from 7 to 13. The gardening program runs until Aug. 15. They work every day from 8:30 a.m. until noon or later.

The group planted about 30 gardens around the community last year and recently won a National Beautification Award of $500 in gardening supplies.

"I wouldn't want to be doing anything else," said 8-year-old Anisah Rasheed.

Campbell said she wants the children to learn more than just gardening.

"I want my children to be conscious of business," Campbell said. "Knowing how to make a dollar and how to spend it correctly and not by selling drugs or illegal activity."

Keith Thompson, 11, said joining the 4-H program has helped him find something to do during the summer.

"It's fun putting the flowers in and cleaning up the places," he said. Plus, he can "make money to help buy school clothes."

Businesses and individuals can help pay the Troopers by sponsoring one for $10 a week, Campbell said.

But Tasha Carter, 9, says money is not her only incentive for being in the group.

"Here you learn a lot about planting gardens. I also like working with the other kids," she said.

Ten-year-old Ameenah Rasheed, one of the program's veterans, said she doesn't mind sacrificing her summer vacation to help the community.

"We have fun planting the gardens," she said, "and I like working with the kids."

This year, Campbell hopes to sell the vegetables in "mini-grocery stores" on Saturdays.

Those interested in helping with the Summer Gardening Program can contact Brenda Campbell at the Action Center, 1906 Gandy Drive N.W., 345-9010, or they can call Linda Jilk at the Roanoke Redevelopment and Housing Authority at 983-9256.