I find inspiration in many places, including our rich living collections and their beautiful settings. In them I see the promises of growth and development, and the opportunities for diverse people and families to gather, sit, stroll, learn, relax, enjoy and make memories.
Save t he Date
Saturday, November 15 • 10-3 p.m.
Volunteerism inspires me, too. Last year, over 1,200 volunteers gave of 28,000 hours to The Gardens. That amounts to more than 14 full-time staff positions, and over $650,000 in in-kind support. I’m humbled every day by such devotion. It’s unforgettable.
Alabama Designer Craftsmen Fall Show November 8 & 9
Choose your free plant from four different plants selected by Executive Director/CEO Fred Spicer.
Achievements like these are only possible with your help – and the more you do, the more we can do. So I’m respectfully asking you to do more if you’re able to do so. How? Give us more volunteer hours. Move up a membership level or two. Give memberships as gifts. Make a charitable year-end donation – or a bigger one! Remember us in your estate planning, and please let us know so that your dedication can be an inspiration to others.
Member Plant Giveaway November 14 & 15
Stop by the First Floor Adventures Classroom in the Garden Center to pick up your free plant.
I’m also inspired by the various public programs we produce each year and the tens of thousands of people we engage. You can read about all of them in our most recent summary at www.bbgardens.org/ education, but one tidbit I’m tremendously proud of is that more than 98% of the 14,000 children who participated in our education and other public programs did so completely free of charge. And that number has been at or above 95% for more than five years. Please read that report! It will take fifteen minutes of your time and I promise you will be surprised (and maybe more than just a little bit proud).
Lastly, as we wind down the calendar on this, our 50th year, we’re deeply grateful for all the support we have received in 2014, and to the individuals, businesses, foundations and organizations who have provided it. I hope The Gardens continues to inspire you.
See you in The Gardens,
Hydrangea arborescens ‘Abetwo’ INCREDIBALL® smooth hydrangea
M e m b e r s - O n ly
Free Plant
W elcome
Dear Friends:
Giveaway
Friday, November 14 • 9-4:30 p.m.
Limit one plant per membership.
Dirt Dash Fun Run November 15 Southern Tales November 16 Red Mountain Garden Club Greenery Sale December 3
No rainchecks. This year’s selection includes: Buxus sempervirens ‘Dee Runk’ Common boxwood cultivar Cupressus arizonica ‘Blue Ice’ Arizona cypress cultivar Deutzia ’NCDX1’ Yuki Snowflake™ deutzia
Fred Spicer Executive Director & CEO
Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon December 4
Hydrangea arborescens ‘Abetwo’ INCREDIBALL® smooth hydrangea
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