This story was published in the Rapid City Journal on May 2, 2012. Original Story can be found here.

Eight Boxelder Job Corps students donated their time to plant more than 200 plants and flowers at the Hills Apartment complex on Spring Creek Road in Deadwood to alleviate erosion issues.

The Hills Apartments are income-based and operated by local nonprofit housing agency NeighborWorks Dakota Home Resources.

Boxelder Job Corps General Education Director Barb Hallberg said the students have a great time putting their skills to use.

“Our students really embrace volunteer work. They enjoy giving back and helping others,” she said. “We never lack volunteers when there is a community project that needs volunteers.”

Many of the students had never gardened before; they enjoyed getting their hands dirty and learning about different types of plants.

Morgan Nadeau was one of the students who donated her time. She has been a part of the Boxelder Job Corps program for a month. 

“It is fun to volunteer. We also get to know everyone better.” Nadeua said this was her effort to participate in Arbor Day. “I have always wanted to plant a tree for Arbor Day, and today is my Earth Day celebration!”

Job Corps students have been volunteering in NeighborWorks community outreach programs for several years. The Boxelder Job Corps students have catered events, participated in citywide cleanups, built garden beds for College Park Community Garden on Lemmon Avenue in Rapid City, and have painted a home during “Paint the Town” for 17 years. 

NeighborWorks home rehab specialist Robert Thorp said, “The students really work hard, we appreciate all of their efforts and time they donate. The partnership between the Boxelder Job Corps and NeighborWorks has allowed the students to get hands-on experience and has provided NeighborWorks with great volunteers for our community events.”