Thanks to the hard work and dedication of Naples Garden Club membership, NGC was able to give a total of $97,000 to community organizations this Spring. Eleven different organizations received the grants:
Competitive Grants
The four agencies below applied for grants. They were among the competitive grants reviewed by the Philanthropic Committee and recommended to the Board for approval.
Audubon’s Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary received funds for their “Marsh & Prairie Restoration” project. The goal is to improve water resources and encourage native herbaceous plants within the watershed. 500 acres have been restored to date
ROOF, Inc (Residential Options Of Florida) was granted the money needed to establish a garden in Immokalee for intellectually and developmentally challenged individuals. The grant covers tools, planting materials, and fencing.
ECHO (Environmental Community Hunger Organization) was given funds for their “Community Gardens Provide Food And Hope” Project. They will donate produce to soup kitchens/food banks, provide assistance to groups starting gardens, and reach out to 1500 SW Florida students about gardening, compost, nutrition and more.
New Horizons of SWFL was given funding for their Super Teens Leadership Camp for 150 at-risk teens. The money will be used for each camper to partake in a field trip to either Everglades Wonder Gardens or Naples Botanical Garden. For most, it is their first experience with horticulture and the beauty of gardens.
Continuing Grants
Naples Botanical Garden
The funds went toward the creation of a Horticulture Campus which will include offices and potting, propagation, shade and greenhouses. Three summer internships along with many of the Idea Garden expenses will also be included.
The Global Garden at Avalon Elementary School
Our grant will be used for garden expenses in the next school year. Approximately forty at-risk students in grades 3 – 5 participate.
Other Projects
In the broader community of the state of Florida, five Florida Federation of Garden Clubs projects received funds. The projects NGC funded in each were:
- Penny Pines – Planting of 1200 Pine Seedlings
- SEEK (Save the Earth’s Environment through Knowledge) – For students to attend the FFGC Environmental Conference
- Coral Reef Restoration – Efforts to facilitate the growth of transplanted corals
- Avon Park Prison Program – Providing horticulture education for selected prisoners
- Wekiva Youth Camp – Support for their Environmental Education Program
In addition to these grants, three scholarships will go to Florida Gulf Coast University students studying horticulture or the environment. These FGCU scholarships come from an endowment fund each year.
The Philanthropy Committee Members were Mary Beth Johns (Chairperson), Joyce Fletcher, Sudie Minamyer, Sondra Quinn, and Patti Taylor.