News
Dover Air Force Base Memorial Garden
One cannot drive past the Dover Air Force Base without thinking of the heart breaking ceremony that takes place there almost daily. For whatever other reason, Dover Air Force Base exists, it is still known to Delawareans and to the country as the place the bodies of those died fighting in foreign lands are received home.
Newspaper articles described a recently opened building at the base called the "Center for the Families of the Fallen." This building is used by the families who come to Dover to receive the bodies of their loved ones.
The Delaware Federation of Garden Clubs is planning to design and plant a Memorial Garden as a project at the Center. The Delaware Federation of Garden Clubs consists of 895 members in 28 garden clubs in Delaware.
The project consists of creating a garden in front of the Center to be accessed from the Center through the two sets of doors. With the generous donations of two of our Board members, we contracted with a well known therapeutic Landscape Designer, Rodney Robinson, to draw up a set of conceptual plans for this area and hope to be able to raise the money needed to proceed with the installation of the garden. Right now, it is a pretty dismal spot and needs to be enclosed to afford privacy for the families. This is the area we are now focusing on since it needs immediate attention.
Our project is estimated to cost $120,000. Since the garden will be used year round a large portion of the cost will be in hardscaping. A wall will be built for privacy along with a water fountain that will relaxing and be emotionally healing.
Another section of the mortuary complex is being built by a Fisher Foundation donation of $4,000,000. The "Inn" is similar to the Ronald McDonald's houses. Even though it is in the same complex, Delaware is only landscaping the "Center For The Families Of The Fallen".
Caring Members Can Reach Out to Aid Haiti
The devastating earthquake in Haiti has left many NGC members wondering how they can help. Donations are now being collected for Haiti through NGC. Click here for more details.
Order 'Wyoming Wildfire!' Canna
Order the canna named by the Wyoming Federation of Garden Clubs, winner of the 2008-2009 NGC Membership Contest, and available to garden club members and their friends. More details.
SHARE YOUR STORIES
Do your garden club members have any good stories to share regarding their efforts in National Garden Club programs such as Penny Pines, Habitat for Humanity Landscaping, Garden Therapy, Blue Star Memorials and more?
We are working with National Garden Clubs to generate local, regional and national publicity on the many philanthropic efforts that garden clubs across the U.S. are performing in their communities. We would enjoy hearing about these efforts and are extending an invitation to any National Garden Club member to contact us directly at the telephone number or e-mail address below.
Thank you for your help and ongoing support.
Patricia Binder
Finkel & Binder Communications LLC
636-441-0022
pbbinder@finkelco.com