An Apple a Day...

By Spenser Peterson on October 10, 2012

This upcoming Saturday, October 13th, UMass’ very own National Society of Leadership and Success will be traveling to UMass’ Cold Spring Orchard as an act of appreciation and display of gratitude. The Cold Spring Orchard is run in large part by its Superintendents, Shawn McIntire and Kristen Hanley. Each and every year, Shawn and Kristen make countless donations to local groups including the American Red Cross, the Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts, and many more organizations and “walk-ins” on a weekly basis. Their generosity knows no bounds and they ask for nothing in return.

After some extensive planning with faculty advisor Tom Hastings, the NSLS was able to enlist an individual from the Environmental Health and Safety Department at UMass to Chair the event. This individual, who wished to remain anonymous, has benevolently arranged for transportation to and from the orchard by the Pioneer Valley Transit Authority, as well as provided 20 boxed lunches to the volunteers.

Not many students know that UMass actually has its own endowed orchard. The Cold Spring Orchard is only a short drive from the university campus and will make an excellent destination for any wishing to venture out over the upcoming weekends. Though it functions primarily as a Research Facility for the University, it offers a wide array of delicious fruit, not to mention a great vantage point for those wishing to see the Holyoke Mountain Range.

This Saturday, Society volunteers will be accompanied by members of UMass Faculty & Staff as they head to the orchard at 9 AM to pick what remains of the fall crop. The fruits of this “Harvest” will be packed and sent to the Western Massachusetts Food Bank for distribution.

If you are interested in getting involved with the UMass Chapter of the National Society of Leadership and Success, please be sure to contact the society at NSLSAmherst@gmail.com, or check out their website at http://www.societyleadership.org/.

What do you do to get involved? Let others know where to look for service opportunities or ways to meet new people! Comment below or hit me up on Twitter at @SPeterson14!