Preschool students (front, left to right) Bowden Washington, Riley Wilson, Evan Smith, (back) Emmarae MacFawn, Cassie Hobbs and Will Dugan display some of the seeds Rangeley Builders Supply recently distributed to area preschools and daycare facilities. RANGELEY — Rangeley Lakes Builders Supply recently donated vegetable and flower seeds to a number of local schools. In total, the company distributed $650 worth seeds.

RLBS's donation to the Rangeley Lakes Regional School supports its efforts with the school's annual "Garden Project." This popular school project is lead by Nini Christiansen and Shirley Schrader.

On the school grounds there are seven 5' by 5' raised beds. Each class, grades K-5, is assigned a plot in which they plant a garden. Each class chooses a theme and plants seeds that correspond with the theme. In years past they have chosen themes such as "pizza garden," "stone soup garden," "salsa garden," etc.

By participating in the project the students learn where their food comes from, the creativity of planning the garden and the responsibility of preparing the soil, planting the seeds and caring for the plants.

According to the project leaders, the students really enjoy watching the progress from seed to harvest.

In the past, when the plants mature early enough, the harvested vegetables have been served in the school cafeteria for the entire school body to enjoy.

During the summer months Christiansen and Schrader share the responsibility of caring for the gardens.

In addition to RLRS, the company distributed seeds to Little Mountain School, Rainbow School and Little Ones Playcare. According to a spokesperson for the company, this will allow the preschool children to be introduced to the miracle of planting and the fun of this timeless spring project.