Crafting for a Cause: Joinery Members Build Benches to Support Pitney Meadows

At Saratoga Joinery, community and craftsmanship go hand in hand—and over the past two summers, that spirit came to life in a meaningful service project that brought members together to support Pitney Meadows Community Farm. Recently, over the course of several weeks, volunteers from the shop joined forces to build five additional handmade white cedar benches to benefit the farm’s donor bench program.

Pitney Meadows, a nonprofit community farm in the heart of Saratoga Springs, invites the public to support its mission through sponsored benches placed along its walking trails and gathering spaces. The initiative offers a beautiful way for community members to honor loved ones, support local agriculture, and create welcoming spaces for all who visit the farm. But building those benches—durable, weather-resistant, and handcrafted—was no small feat. That’s where we came in.

With a shared passion for woodworking (and access to the right tools), Joinery members volunteered their time to build each bench from sustainably harvested white cedar. Known for its natural resistance to rot and insects, white cedar was the perfect choice for outdoor furniture that will stand the test of time. Each bench was thoughtfully designed to balance form and function—sturdy enough for public use, and elegant enough to honor the donors' intentions.

“As a nonprofit organization ourselves, we understand the power of community banding together to meet a need," said Tori Colarusso, Executive Director. "Our community service projects allow us to provide that support while also providing a real-life educational opportunity for our members.”

The project also offered an opportunity for members to develop new skills, from milling and joinery techniques to collaborative planning and project management. It was a hands-on, hearts-in kind of effort—and the results were deeply meaningful.

Now, as visitors rest on those benches to take in the view of the fields, flowers, and community gathering spaces at Pitney Meadows, they’re not just sitting on a bench. They’re connecting to a story—of people coming together, of wood transformed by hand and intention, and of how community grows strongest when people pitch in, build up, and give back.

If you’d like to get involved in future service projects through Saratoga Joinery, we’d love to hear from you. Whether you’re a seasoned woodworker or just getting started, there’s a place for you at the bench.

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