VALLEY CITY, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) –  Thank you to a number of Open Door individuals and staff. They have been faithful in watering the many hanging baskets that grace Central Avenue in Valley City. Flowers and plants not only add aesthetic appeal to our surroundings but also serve a vital purpose-in filtering the air we breathe for example. Plants act as natural air purifiers, absorbing harmful pollutants and releasing fresh oxygen, making the air cleaner and healthier for us.

“The hanging baskets are the result of a partnership between the city of Valley City who purchased and hang the flower baskets each year, the Image and Beautification Committee (a volunteer committee devoted to helping Valley City be more beautiful) and a number of Open Door Center individuals who volunteer to water the hanging baskets every day all summer long,” states Sharon Buhr, the Image chair.

The Image and Beautification Committee writes grants to plant trees and shrubs, does the planting and ultimately the care of the trees and shrubs. They have planted over 1000 trees in Valley City the past 20 years. If you would like to be a part of the Image and Beautification Committee, contact Sharon Buhr at 840-0973.

Feature photo is Open Door individuals and staff members who have faithfully watered the hanging flower baskets that were seen this summer on Central Avenue in Valley City. Back row left to right are Open Door Staff Thea Jensen and Steph Hornbacher. Front row are Eric Hoffert, Kelvin Opp, and Matt Harrington.