CITRUS HEIGHTS, CA (MPG) - You would think a packed schedule of classes would be more than enough for any high school senior. But that wasn’t enough for Elijah Vernon, a recent graduate from San Juan High School in Citrus Heights. He was determined to not only succeed in school and sports, but to also find a way to serve his community and those most in need.

Elijah has an exemplary academic record, excelling in his advanced placement classes and participating in the Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) college-readiness program. As a member of the varsity basketball team and captain of both the varsity baseball team and the varsity football team, Elijah was busy year-round. But even with all that on his plate, Elijah still committed his time to volunteering at the Sylvan Ranch Community Garden.

Elijah’s family first discovered the Sylvan Ranch Community Garden in Citrus Heights in his junior year. A local nonprofit, the community garden rents spaces where people can grow their own produce. Gardeners can also work on community garden plots, cultivating produce for donation at a local food bank, Sunrise Christian Food Ministry. Elijah’s family started out growing watermelon, cantaloupe, strawberries, zucchini, squash, kale, peppers, tomatoes, green onions, and various herbs. Elijah soon found he had a green thumb - the garden flourished.

Later that year, Elijah noticed there were many elderly gardeners who needed help with their plots. Elijah decided to volunteer in the garden to fulfil AVID’s community service requirement. But even after meeting his required community service hours, Elijah chose to continue helping in the garden. He volunteers at least a couple days each week, preparing soil, compost, and mulch as well as planting various fruits and vegetables. In his own plots, he grows such an abundance of fresh produce that each week he donates much of it to the food bank to help families in need.

Many people in the community rely on their garden plot to supplement their food supply, a fact that has been especially true during the COVID-19 public health crisis. Due to the pandemic, many more families requested plots in the garden, so Elijah helped build new planter boxes to expand the facility and make room for the new families. “I try to do the best of my ability - doing the best for them so they get the best out of it,” said Elijah.

Elijah first realized the significance of community service in the summer of 2018. While visiting friends in Redding, CA, the Carr Fire burned through Shasta and Trinity counties, burning more than 229,000 acres. Elijah and his friends helped transform a church in Redding into a “cool down center” for evacuees. After rushing to unload water and clothes, Elijah stayed for another week helping evacuees on site. “It was chaotic. People were crying,” said Elijah. “It was difficult.” But he said that experience opened his eyes: “When people need it the most, give everything you can to help them. … No matter how small, every bit helps.”

Elijah is now an integral volunteer at Sylvan Ranch Community Garden, helping people maintain their plots as well as tending to the community plots.  He often ends up staying longer than he planned because there is always more to do. When Elijah commits to helping someone, he always follows through: “I’m going to keep my word, and work until it gets done.”

Judy Thornton, a long-time volunteer gardener at Sylvan Ranch Community Garden, said Elijah’s assistance is invaluable to many of the elderly gardeners: “They couldn’t do it without him helping them. … He’s made it so these people have a garden bed and can enjoy gardening. He’s always willing to help.”

Elijah described his volunteer work as “humbling.” The people he helps are incredibly grateful, and Elijah said, “When it means a lot to them, that means a lot to me.”

“He’s always going above and beyond,” said Fawny Vernon, Elijah’s mother. “I am so proud of him. … He’s taken it on as his own personal mission.” She admires his determination and his commitment: “The character he’s built, the strength I see in him - he puts others first. He’s amazing.” She said many of his friends and teammates look up to Elijah, so she hopes his work can inspire other students to follow in his footsteps.

Elijah will be attending Sacramento State University in the fall, but with the COVID-19 complications, he will likely be commencing his studies through online courses. He plans to major in business, and he is hoping to play baseball at the college level.