Spring really is a busy time of year here in Armenia!

AVC volunteers have been volunteering—but not only at placement sites.

During the month of April AVC volunteers dug holes, planted trees, swabbed mouths, and de-petaled flowers.

On Saturday, April 17, AVC volunteers and Birthright Armenia participants and staff traveled to Yeghegnadzor in the Vayots Dzor region where they joined the Foundation for the Preservation of Wildlife and Cultural Assets in Republic of Armenia (FPWC) in planting trees at School Number 1 for Earth Day.

Also participating in the Earth Day planting were volunteers from FPWC’s Eco Club and other community members

The following week, AVC volunteers, lead by Olivia Katrandjian (USA), spent a few short hours to help save lives by participating in an Armenian Bone Marrow Donor Registry drive in front of the Matenadaran.  Volunteers braved the rain to help educate passersby and increase the number of people registered with the Armenian Bone Marrow Donor Registry.

But that isn’t all...

Have you ever wondered what happens to the flowers at Tsitsenagabert after April 24?

Well, on Tuesday, April 27, AVC joined FPWC again, this time in Yerevan, to recycle flowers that had been laid at the Tsitsenagabert Genocide Memorial.

Volunteers carefully removed memorial ribbons from the flowers and then removed each and every flower petal. The ribbons were delivered to the Genocide Museum.

Flower petals will be used by FPWC to create decorative paper. They will also be used in art projects at FPWC’s Eco Clubs throughout Armenia.

Stems and other parts were composted.  Wooden display flower stands will be reused.

What a simple, innovative way to recycle hundreds of thousands of flowers!

April has been a month full of community service.