McKinley Student/Faculty Volunteers Rejuvenate E. Buffalo Property

A movement to showcase the good deeds of McKinley High School students and teachers kicks off this Saturday at a historic property at 870 Clinton Street in Buffalo starting at 9 a.m.

Students from the horticultural program, led by faculty member Ron Callea, will gather with shovels, weed whackers, and pure sweat equity to tackle the needs of a long-time Buffalo resident who needs helping hands to rehab the grounds that surround her home.

Marquerite Nelson, who owns the historic brick residence and grounds in the East Buffalo, has had unfortunate circumstances that have created a need for many volunteers to help her recover. “The Christmas, 2022 storm demolished the side entrance porch, causing it to lay in the yard and compromising my ability to attend to my grounds,” lamented Nelson.

In addition, Nelson had a major mishap while working to restore her property, making it more challenging to maintain. “I live in a great house that my parents lovingly stewarded for many decades, but it is large and very difficult to maintain after many severe winters that have wrought damage.”

Hearing of this, teacher Callea of McKinley High School’s horticulture program, contacted Nelson to see if his students could be of assistance.

Callea saw this as an extension of his volunteer efforts with the Plant WNY consortium of landscape and nursery members that regularly perform community service for Buffalo area institutions.

“This is a good chance to also show that our McKinley kids are truly exceptional when it comes to their love of our city and our community. I had no trouble getting our kids to step up and help with this project and we intend to do many more!”

McKinley principal Terrence Jenkins threw his full support behind their initiative. “I am bullish on the integrity of my kids at our high school...this community service that they are engaging in highlights that a great majority of our students reflect the goal of the school which is ‘we produce future leaders’”!

Shane Hornquist, Aquatic Ecology teacher at the school, joins Callea and the students at the volunteer project.

They will don their gloves, gather their equipment, and be led by Callea to Nelson’s property to get it back to being a well-tended, robust landscape once again.

Council member Mitch Nowakowski lauded Callea and his kids for their volunteerism. “McKinley’s kids are out to show Buffalo that they are good citizens who care about their neighbors and I applaud them and their teachers for taking on this project! Also. for my part, I have engaged the City DPW to do a special bulk pickup at the site after the volunteers conclude their project.”

The property once was the home of a prominent brick manufacturer, Henry Dietschler of Queen City Brick. His company started in 1895 and continued through the early 20th century.

The house and carriage house are all of original brick cast in Mr. Dietschler’s brickmaking operation.

Nelson’s vision is to create a working farm with her home as the base of operations. “It is a chance for our community to lift itself back up and re-create a new, vibrant district, The Queen City Brick & Barn Farm District.”

The Plant WNY Group and McKinley High School students and faculty are anchoring the project. Additional volunteers include members of Re-Tree WNY, Niagara Lawn & Garden Care and the Guys Weekend organization. For more information and how to help, contact Paul Maurer, Paul@PDM MarketingMedia.com, or call (716) 553-4061.