Adult and Teen Challenge of Northern Indiana recently planted trees to revive a local orchard. With a donation of 10 trees from Elkhart, Ind., RV supply store Future Sales, the group said the goal is to keep growing the orchard so students can learn to care for the trees like they do with the animals and greenhouse on campus. The trees donated by Future Sales included apples, peaches, pears, and cherries.
In addition to Future Sales, the group had additional help from local landscaper Cory’s Curb Appeal. “We were able to plant the trees under the right weather conditions for them to be able to grow with the most success,” said the organization, adding that Cory’s Curb appeal helped Adult and Teen Challenge pick out the proper tree species for the area.
The purpose behind Adult and Teen Challenge is a Christ-centered approach working with men effected by drugs and alcohol with life controlling addictions to touch on each of the five strongest biblical principles when working their way from addiction to Christ. Through the assistance of the organization’s Work Coordinator, Matt Slabaugh, students who typically take care of the greenhouse helped plant the trees.
“Doing something small to not benefit themselves, but to benefit people they may never meet… this is a visual representation of what they are doing here; transforming people into caring, hardworking, and productive members of society that will go on to support others,” the organization said.