Airmen promote healthy living to local community Published July 22, 2015 By Senior Airman William J. Blankenship 42nd Air Base Wing Public Affairs MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. -- Airmen from Maxwell Air Force Base reached out to the Montgomery community to promote healthy living, July 19, 2015. The group built raised garden beds in the Waterscapes neighborhood, enabling the community to grow organic fruits and vegetables. "It was very exciting and a true blessing to be able to impact our local community," said Tech. Sgt. Luis Lopez, the project manager from the Thomas N. Barnes Center for Enlisted Education. "It was great the neighborhood loved it. This project is to inspire people to grow food and know what they are consuming by eating healthy from the garden to their home." The project will influence 200 residents in 48 homes within their community, enticing them to eat healthy. "We've all seen it firsthand - eating for fun, instead of for fuel for optimal performance," said Lopez. "When you ingest the proper vitamins and minerals, your body reflects it. You feel healthy, energized, and just all-around great! If you limit your diet to junk food there are consequences your body will endure. This results in feeling fatigue, low energy and health issues. I enjoy planting a seed of encouragement to eat healthy because it inspires people to live a hale and hearty lifestyle for themselves, family and friends. " Raised garden beds, also called garden boxes, are designed for growing small plots of veggies and flowers. They are popular for keeping pathway weeds from your garden soil, preventing soil compaction, providing good drainage and serving as a barrier to pests such as slugs and snails. The sides of the beds keep garden soil from being eroded or washed away during heavy rains. "Sunday was a very hard and exhausting days' work but it was a wonderful experience," said Airman 1st Class Erin Stolly, Executive Services, Thomas N. Barnes Center for Enlisted Education. "The community was very friendly and helpful. Hopefully they enjoy the veggies and fruits that will come from the gardens. I had a great time and can't wait to help out again to inspire others to live healthy." Lopez, recent winner of Mr. Alabama title as a bodybuilder, plans on more projects like this one in the future to include a local elementary school and a retirement home.