LEXINGTON, KY - The first day of school for Fayette County Public Schools is less than two weeks away, and thanks to Lexington's Henkel Denmark Landscaping Company, a number of local elementary schools will be starting off the school year with a bit of a facelift.
Starting at 8 a.m. on Thursday, August 6, the entire Henkel Denmark staff - from senior designers and labor crews to administrative office staff - will roll up their sleeves and dig in the dirt at over a dozen elementary schools inside New Circle Road that accepted their offer for a complimentary landscaping makeover.
"We're closing the office down and all of the office staff - the girls who are such a part of our team but rarely get to get out in the dirt, and even some of the designers who design these amazing landscapes but most of the time don't get the opportunity to jump in with their crews - everyone's going out," said Henkel Denmark co-owner Gordon Denmark, who implemented a similar project years ago at Stonewall Elementary, the school his three children attended.
Denmark said the project is a way to give back the teachers and principals who have given so much to so many families in Lexington. The project fits in with Denmark and his business partner Bill Henkel's original vision when they started Henkel Denmark 10 years ago: working hard to grow their company while at the same time, being able to focus on growing their families as well.
"As we thought about this great place that we live, we thought, what if we thank the teachers for investing in our kids, and serving our families like that?" Denmark said. "What if we led a day where we just said thanks to teachers and principals by cleaning up the schools?"
The work on Thursday will involve planting annuals and perennials, cleaning up existing beds, adding fresh mulch and getting rid of weeds that have become overgrown during the summer.
"On the first day of school, especially in elementary school, kids are nervous, parents are anxious about releasing their most precious possessions into the school system," said Denmark. "We thought if just the entryway could be inviting and somehow provide peace and confidence, it would be a gift to the parents, a gift to the kids and thanks to the teachers and principals."
Henkel Denmark senior designer Lucian Dearborn described the approach the company is taking on Thursday as "divide and conquer" - different designers are overseeing individual schools, determining the landscaping needs and delegating projects as necessary. To cast the vision beyond their immediate resources, the company invited some of their subcontractors and suppliers who they felt "shared a community vision" to participate. Landscaper's Corner, Pemberton's Greenhouse, Todd Kelly Perennials and Community Tree Care have all donated supplies and services for the project.
"I was just blown away and so encouraged by the eagerness of these companies to say yes to thanking teachers and parents," Denmark said.
The extent of the landscaping needs at the individual schools varies, Dearborn pointed out, but there's no lawn that can't benefit from a little extra color, a little edging, and some weeding.
"This time of year when everyone's drumming up to go back to school, there's a lot that needs to happen anyway," said Dearborn. "Little stuff like that really goes a long way."