John Paul Endicott saw the world as it could — and should — be; people helping one another where possible, communities gathering together for a common goal of health and well being. He knew that no one should be allowed to go hungry. The countless hours he put into area charitable endeavors, including helping to raise interest and awareness about community gardens right at Temple University Ambler, were certainly reflective of his desire to see community agriculture thrive throughout the region.

John Paul joined the Temple University Ambler community as a horticulture student, quickly showing a passion and dedication to the field and to the Ambler Arboretum and campus as a whole. Tragically, John Paul's life was cut short during a vehicle accident in July 2010.

Since their devastating loss, John Paul's family with the support of Temple University Ambler faculty and staff and a veritable army of friends have dedicated themselves to continuing John Paul's work in the Ambler Campus Community Garden and through the John Paul Endicott Memorial Fund, which supports community agriculture education, including a summer internship for students in Temple's School of Environmental Design. The intern assists in the Ambler Arboretum food crops garden and maintains a section of garden being grown for donations to help feed the hungry. For the past few summers, volunteers in the garden have harvested hundreds of pounds of produce for area community cupboards.

On Sunday, September 20, the John Paul Endicott Memorial Committee and the Ambler Arboretum of Temple University will host the 2015 Garlic in the Garden Festival and Cook-Off in the Ambler Campus Food Crops Garden.

General Admission for the event, which will be held from 3 to 6 p.m., is $10; Receive $5 off by bringing a perishable/non-perishable contribution to area food cupboards. Admission is free for anyone entering the Garlic Dish Competition. For additional information on entering the competition, visit www.jpendicott.com or contact garden@jpendicott.com.

Proceeds benefit the John Paul Endicott Memorial Fund and the John Paul Endicott Summer Internship, supporting community agriculture education and donation.

"Garlic was one of John Paul's favorite crops — we thought it would be a great idea to celebrate in the garden with an annual festival, said John Paul's mother, Judy Endicott. "Ultimately, our goal is to bring people out to get involved in the garden here at Ambler and in community agriculture in general."

The Garlic in the Garden Festival includes a Garlic Dish Compeition; perishable and non-perishable donation collections supporting local food cupboards; games; music; a 50/50 raffle; volunteer awards; cooking; cultivation and medicinal gardening tips; and more! Proceeds also benefit the John Paul Endicott Memorial Fund and the John Paul Endicott Summer Internship, supporting community agriculture education and donation.

"I'd like to thank everyone for helping us continue John Paul's idea of putting fresh produce into the hands of families in need," Endicott said.

For more information on the Garlic in the Garden Festival at Temple University Ambler or the John Paul Endicott Memorial Fund, visit JPEndicott.com  or contact garden@jpendicott.com.