Annual fundraiser evolves with garden
Posted on Friday, May 9, 2008
URL: http://www.nwanews.com/nwat/News/64952/
A soft scent of recent rain lifted from the ground, soft violin melodies danced through the air and more than 500 people graced the grass of the Botanical Garden of the Ozarks on Thursday night at the 13 th annual Greening of the Garden.
Sarah King, director of the garden’s community programs, said the event is one of the center’s biggest fundraisers of the year.
“ The garden is so unique among other gardens in the nation because it’s truly a grassroots movement, ” she said. “ It’s really a community-supported garden. ”
The Northwest Arkansas community was out in force Thursday night enjoying the many different gardens with the Fayetteville complex.
Liz Esch, events coordinator for the garden, said it’s the third time the group has had the event at the garden site. The first time was in 2006. She said the only thing at the location, other than an empty pasture, was the wooden frame of what is now the Totemeier Horticulture Center.
“ It’s just fabulous that all our hard work has had this great of a result, ” she said, motioning to the land around her. “ To see people laughing and everyone enjoying all the gardens, it’s really great. ”
Esch said the group hoped to raise at least $ 50, 000 Thursday night. Some of the money could come through the $ 50- $ 60 ticket price to enter the banquet, she said, and the silent and live auctions hopefully would make up the rest.
The group auctioned off donated items such as a trip to Orange Beach, Ala., a complete landscaping package and a trip to Cancun, Mexico.
Fayetteville Mayor Dan Coody said the event is a great way to celebrate all the people who have put in time and money to see the garden’s success. The city of Fayetteville played a part by leasing the garden a 90-acre plot at a “ nominal fee, ” he said.
“ All the donations and volunteer work have done a tremendous job of turning an overgrown pasture into a beautiful garden, ” Coody said. “ It’s quintessential Fayetteville. ”
The night also included an awards ceremony. Jeff Jeffus was honored as the garden’s Ambassador of the Year, Bob and Terry Hamilton were honored as the Friends of the Garden, Russell Black was honored as the Horticultural Friend of the Garden, Don Hurlbut was honored as the Builder of the Garden, and Donna Porter received the Founder’s Award.
The celebration of the founders will continue at 10 a. m. Saturday with the unveiling of the Founders Garden, the newest addition to the Botanical Garden of the Ozarks.
King said the plot would feature a fountain along with bricks that have the names of various supporters inscribed on them.