Eastman Volunteers Help Dedicated the Rosella O. Taylor Memorial Garden
“I am honored and moved by the Club’s generosity. Gardening is something that I enjoy doing and I’m glad I can share my passion with Club kids. Every time we plant something new, or a new flower blooms or a new vegetable we planted is ready for harvest, I’ll think of my mother and the incredible impact she had on me.”
On Earth Day, April 22, 2026, nine volunteers from Eastman came together at the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Kingsport to give back to the community in a meaningful and lasting way. The volunteers spent the afternoon constructing new raised garden beds, preparing the Club's greenhouse with fresh soil for future planting seasons, and helping Club members get their hands in the dirt — planting flowers and a variety of vegetables alongside the kids.
The garden project is part of the Club's ongoing Garden Club program, which gives young members the opportunity to explore gardening, farming, and crop cultivation. The program is designed to deepen kids' connection to the outdoors, spark an interest in where their food comes from, and reinforce the importance of healthy eating and active living.
At the conclusion of the event, Club staff members Josh Coffey, Nastassia Taylor, and Jessica Poore joined the nine Eastman volunteers for a dedication ceremony, officially naming the updated greenhouse and garden beds the Rosella O. Taylor Memorial Garden — a tribute to Nastassia Taylor's mother, Rosella O. Taylor.
Rosella was a former Eastman employee whose hard work, determination, and warm spirit earned her the deep admiration of colleagues and friends throughout her career. The dedication of this garden ensures that her legacy lives on — and that her impact will continue to be felt by the many children who walk through the doors of the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Kingsport for years to come.
“I am honored and moved by the Club’s generosity. Gardening is something that I enjoy doing and I’m glad I can share my passion with Club kids. Every time we plant something new, or a new flower blooms or a new vegetable we planted is ready for harvest, I’ll think of my mother and the incredible impact she had on me.” Said Nastassia Taylor, Director of Education and Operations.
The Boys & Girls Club of Greater Kingsport extends its deepest gratitude to Matthew Potter at Eastman for coordinating the volunteer partnership and the garden dedication, and to each of the nine volunteers who gave their time and energy to make this Earth Day truly special for the Club’s kids and staff.
