Ice Cream Social To Benefit Lake Elsinore Community Garden

Ridgestone Apartments in Lake Elsinore will host an ice cream social Sept. 6, and all in the community are invited to the benefit event.

The social takes place from 5-8 p.m. in the apartment clubhouse located at 39415 Ardenwood Way. 

Although Ridgestone is donating the free ice cream, attendees can give whatever they would like during the social to help benefit construction of the Lake Elsinore Community Garden in Rosetta Canyon Park.

"We're hoping for a great turnout," said Ridgestone community manager Angie Churchwell. "We're going to get a lot of ice cream!"

Lake Elsinore resident Sylvia Monaco came up with the idea to construct the community garden following the tragic death of her great grandson. She will be present during the social to accept garden donations, Churchwell said.

Additional fundraising for the proposed .75-acre garden is underway, with donations sought for soil, plants, and a watering system, Monaco said.

People interested in donating to the cause can visit San Diego Community Garden Network, according to Monaco. She advised that visitors to the website click on "Donate" and type in “Lake Elsinore Community Garden” in the “purpose” box. A representative from SDCGN confirmed the information.

Installation of three-rail white vinyl fencing for the garden is expected Sept. 29. That project was helped along by Lowe's in Lake Elsinore, which donated $1,200 in fence materials through its Heroes program, according to Monaco, who said fence funding is still about $500 short.

According to Monaco, fruits and vegetables from the proposed garden will be donated to needy families.

Lake Elsinore Planning Commission Chair Rick Morsch has provided the design for the project, according to Monaco. 

In March, the Lake Elsinore City Council agreed to allow the project to move forward in the city-owned park. 

For more information on Friday’s ice cream social, call 951-471-8336.