70+ Publix associates help revitalize Columbia’s historic Lincoln Park

COLUMBIA, SC (WOLO) — Tuesday morning, employees with the popular grocery chain Publix took a day off from providing customer service — to provide some community service instead.

It’s a bi-annual effort by the organization known as “Publix Serves.”

Around 70 employees from across the Midlands participated in the project — aimed at restoring and revitalizing Lincoln Park on Ridgewood Avenue.

“It’s probably the most rewarding thing that we do each year, you know really stepping out from serving our customers in our stores to really getting our hands dirty and serving our communities where they are,” says Pharmacist Aaron Lanning.

In partnership with the City of Columbia’s Parks and Rec team, Publix associates raked leaves, bagged branches, and removed overgrowth throughout the park.

“We’re glad they’re here. Seeing this many folks in the park right now is great to see, especially on a great day like this. It’s a perfect day to come out and do some yard work as I would say, and they’re doing a great job right now,” says City of Columbia’s Director of Parks and Rec, Kenya Bryant.

But workers didn’t stop with hauling things away. They also left things behind — four fruit trees. One fig, one peach, one pear, and one lemon tree — planting them near the entrance to the park — in hopes of providing enjoyment to community members in the years to come.

“We really appreciate Publix for taking their time out of their busy schedule, and Parks and Rec to make sure that our neighborhood is one that we’ll be proud of and everyone will be able to take part in, and just enjoy from now on — and in the coming years!” says nearby neighbor, Hope Archie, adding, “I can make some pear preserves and make some lemonade and some fruit preserves!”

Employees also built a community library stand for the park as well as provided several birdhouses for the trees.

This week, around 8,000 Publix associates are volunteering across more than 160 “Publix Serves” projects nationwide.

“We like to walk that talk and we like to set the example. All the Publix associates out here, are just really setting a great example. They’re setting a great example for everybody else to follow as well. Again, it’s just part of who we are, and we have a great time every year doing this,” says Publix Super Markets CEO Kevin Murphy.

According to Bryant, Columbia is home to 67 parks. Lincoln Park has been open to the community since 1901.