By DANIELLA LANGIANESE dlangianese@bradfordera.com | A
Franklin D. Roosevelt once said, “We cannot always build the future for our youth, but we can build our youth for the future,” and a perfect exemplification of his words are the summer actions of Eldred teenager, Adelyn Bell.
Bell, an incoming sophomore at Otto-Eldred Junior/Senior High School, has dedicated her time and efforts this summer to build, stock and work a vegetable stand. Addie’s Vegetable Stand is open from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. seven days a week at the bottom of Moody Hollow Road off Route 446 in Eldred.
Incredibly, Bell has no intention of holding onto the proceeds from her hard-work, since all profits are being donated to the Otto-Eldred Blessing Boxes and Bradford Regional Medical Center’s (BRMC) Emergency Room pediatric patients.
According to Bell’s parents, Amy and Stephen Bell, she took a strong interest in agriculture and community last year, after joining Future Farmers of America (FFA). Per her piqued interest, Bell first spoke of the idea of selling the family’s garden extras from a vegetable stand last year. Stephen Bell further explained that Otto-Eldred’s recent addition of a greenhouse to their Agriculture program sparked even more curiosity and interest in pursuing the vegetable stand.
“My favorite thing about school is our FFA and Agricultural Program, where I have started to learn about local agriculture and helping our community,” said Bell.
“Addie has a kind heart and loves to help people, which is why she chose two local charities to support,” explained Stephen Bell. “She wanted to stick to local charities where she could hopefully see a difference in the community.”
The decision on which local charities to support was made easier this past spring when Bell came across a post on social media where the Otto-Eldred Blessing Boxes were seeking help as they were short on supplies.
In addition, Bell wanted to help another local cause outside of Otto-Eldred, but not quite on a national level. She knew she wanted to be able to help children but wasn’t sure how. With the encouragement of her parents, she reached out to the Executive Director of Bradford Hospital Foundation, Stacy Shotts Williams who suggested BRMC Emergency pediatric patients.
According to Bell’s father, “Addie remembered when she had to go to the emergency room for stitches on her chin after wrecking her bicycle. She could relate to the children that are scared when they have to go there and knew they could help be comforted with a stuffed animal or coloring book.”
Bell’s original plan, after the construction of her stand was complete, was to sell the family’s extra garden vegetables; however the immense popularity of the stand has caused her to supplement the stand with community donations.
“People have donated all kinds of items to help Addie raise awareness and funds,” said Stephen Bell. “We have had donations of beautiful charcuterie boards, firewood and even people’s extra vegetables from their gardens.”
Bell’s grandmother, Jane Bell, reportedly taught her family to garden in order for them to be able to be self-sustainable, if ever needed.
“Addie’s grandparents, parents, siblings, aunts, uncles and cousins have all worked the garden together planting, weeding, harvesting and preserving food each year,” said Stephen Bell.
From the selection of varying vegetables and produce offered at the stand, Jane Bell’s tutelage paid off, with the latest additions including eggplant, garlic, cabbage, hot cherry bomb peppers, sweet banana peppers, green peppers, sweet potatoes, corn, green beans and tomatoes.
Bell has not been in this project alone, she has been fortunate to receive donations from the community when her stand’s selection has been running low. Volunteers also helped her to construct the framework for the stand and supplied the wagon while her father built the roof. Then Bell and her mother worked to put the final touches of paint, signage and decor together.
“The amount of help that Addie has received from people has been amazing. Our neighbor even donated his front yard for setting up the stand,” said Stephen Bell.
According to Bell, her overall goal of putting together and working the stand all summer long is to “raise awareness about two fantastic programs in our community and provide as much financial help as possible.”
“I’ve always known our community was beyond supportive of OE’s students through sports and other activities, but I never imagined that they would all come together to help my cause,” exclaimed Bell. “So I want to say thank you to everyone in the local communities who have supported me!”
Individuals who wish to donate to Bell’s cause but are unable to make it to Addie’s Vegetable Stand are still able to donate via Venmo @Amy-Bell-167, paypal or zelle: amylbell@yahoo.com.
For more information, visit the Adelyn Bell Vegetable Stand Facebook page.
Eldred student dedicates summer to raise awareness with vegetable stand | News | bradfordera.com