Photo provided

Fifteen members of Moraga Valley Kiwanis recently volunteered over 150 hours installing an irrigation system at the Rheem Elementary School garden. The project, chaired by Kiwanian Jason Evans coordinating with teacher Alice Noyes, provided a water source to each of five raised planter beds, an orchard area and hillside planted with succulents and native plant species. This is one of several community volunteer efforts that have transformed the area from an asphalt slab into an outdoor learning center.
The project meshed perfectly with Kiwanis goals of making a difference in the lives of children. The name "Kiwanis" was coined from an American Indian expression which means "we trade" or "we share our talents."
The Kiwanis project at the Rheem School garden entailed running the electrical lines to the manifold, installing valves for five stations, digging the trenches for the piping, running the piping from the raised planters to the irrigation valves and installing risers with hose bibs providing water to each planter and the hillside. The project called upon many skills of the members to be able to complete the work.
Last spring Kiwanis members installed drip irrigation on a hillside at the rear of Camino Pablo School providing water to native plants that had been planted to stabilize the hillside.
In addition to hands on projects, the Club contributes through the Moraga Kiwanis Club Foundation to many local agencies that directly impact the lives of children. The Club raises funds in many ways, including staffing the concession stands at Saint Mary's women's and men's home athletic events, selling refreshments at Moraga's July 4th celebration, staffing the LPGA Golf tournament, hosting an annual Crab Feed, participating in the Moraga Pear Festival, and an Escrip program through Safeway.
For more information on Moraga Valley Kiwanis, visit the website at www.MoragavalleyKiwanis.org or contact Tim Freeman at 283-5945.