ANTONITO — Conejos Clean Water will be holding a silent auction reception on Thursday, June 29, 6 p.m. at the Guadalupe Health Center, Valley-Wide Health Systems, 10th & Dahlia Street in Antonito. The auction will include local vendors, artists, food and music. All proceeds will benefit Valleybound, the Antonito School and Community Garden, and the Grow Dome Project that will provide fresh, local food to the children and families of Antonito and surrounding communities.

Valleybound is an empowering educational space that promotes healthy living practices through local agriculture, conservation and sustainability. Children from the South Conejos School District currently take part in the School and Community Garden during the summer season, which provides food to the community and school meals.

Sustainability is a priority interest for many organizations, and this is especially true in the San Luis Valley. The 42-foot Growing Dome, to be built, is designed for full community use and would ensure increased access to healthy, local foods for children and families year round! Currently, Valleybound is only able to grow during the 90-day growing season, which greatly limits the impact in the community.

Valleybound, the Antonito School and Community Garden, and the Grow Dome Project has the following goals: (1) To serve as a space that encourages and fosters a sense of community, preserving our unique cultural heritage along the way; (2) To educate children and adults alike through gardening and by initiating community dialogues focused on healthy living practices. (3) To stimulate economic opportunity by creating and supporting a regional marketing platform for local farmers, artists and business owners. (4) To introduce an exploratory realm in which children and adults are inspired to admire and confront the wonders of the physical world.

For more information, please go to: www.valleybound.org or www.vwhs.org

Please contact Justin Garoutte, 719-580-9280 or Angelica Quintana, 719-937-3179 for sponsorship information or with any questions.