Staff Sgt. William Vandenberg, a dental specialist assigned to Dental Activity-Fort Jackson, right, and his friend Kristin Avery pick Confederate Rose clippings to take home during the Thomas Hall Post Library Earth Day Plant Swap on April 22, 2022. Roughly 100 plants, seedling, clipping, seed packets and gardening supplies were donated to the library for the plant swap event. All remaining plants or seed will be used to fill the library’s outdoor planters after the swap concluded. (Alexandra Shea)

Plant swap a win for all

By Alexandra Shea, Fort Jackson Public Affairs

The Thomas Hall Post Library finished Earth Day strong as more than a dozen Soldiers, veterans, retirees, civilians, and their Family members attended the April 22 Earth Day Plant Swap.

“This was nice,” said Staff Sgt. William Vandenberg, a dental specialist assigned to the Dental Activity-Fort Jackson.

Vandenberg chose a Confederate Rose clipping that was donated earlier in the week.

Other plant and library enthusiasts talked amongst each other about the variety of donated plants that were offered during the swap as Katherine Livingston, public services librarian, fielded questions and took suggestions of future gardening events.

Roughly 100 plants, seedling, clipping, seed packets and gardening supplies were donated to the library for the plant swap event. All remaining plants or seed will be used to fill the library’s outdoor planters after the swap concluded.