A blossoming partnership grows beautifully

Print More

Submitted photo

Habitat for Humanity team ready to plant locally grown stock at home in West Granby. Stock was donated by Monrovia.

On a cool November morning in 2016, a tractor-trailer emblazoned with the Monrovia logo arrived promptly at 9 a.m. at the Hartford Area Habitat for Humanity home in West Granby. It was loaded with fresh, locally grown stock from its Granby nursery ready for planting at the new home. With tools in hand, a skilled Monrovia team led by Mark Hixson and Jess McCue descended on the site to dig, plant, mulch and water an expertly-selected variety of plants, shrubberies and trees in an artfully designed plan. They put the perfect finishing touch on the home being readied for its new owners. With the plantings completed by noon, the seeds for a perennial partnership had been sown.

The Habitat-Monrovia partnership germinated when Hixson, Monrovia’s East Coast Inside Sales Coach, contacted Habitat for Humanity, saying Monrovia would be keen on donating plants, design and guidance to the local endeavor. The results speak for themselves. Since the Granby home, Monrovia has helped beautify 12 more Hartford Habitat homes, the latest being in 2018 on East Hartford’s Bliss Street and Moore Avenue this past June.

 Monrovia’s first endeavor in West Granby was also Hartford Habitat’s first rural build, a build much welcomed by Granby townspeople.