Donor Spotlight
Celebrating the Meinders Garden Grant The Myriad Gardens Foundation is thrilled and delighted to report a major grant award of $400,000 from Herman and LaDonna Meinders/Meinders Foundation. Funds will be used to complete the planting plan for the Meinders Garden, which occupies the northeast corner of the Myriad Botanical Gardens, and serves as an entrance to the Gardens from the intersection of Sheridan and Robinson Avenues. The Meinders Garden constitutes approximately 20% of the 17-acre Myriad Gardens.
Exciting design enhancements planned for the Meinders Garden include a new terrace area for weddings and other events as well as a lovely, shady site for all to enjoy. Features include a rustic, wooden trellis and a charming stone fountain. Funds will also be used to increase the Garden’s endowment fund at the Oklahoma City Community Foundation specifically for the long-term maintenance and sustainability of this unique garden of native plant species that thrive in Oklahoma.
Junior League Awards “Bringing Books to Life” Grant and Celebrates 85 Years The Junior League of Oklahoma City awarded a two-year grant totaling $34,000 to The Myriad Gardens Foundation for the “Bringing Books to Life” program. For children ages Pre-K through middle school, books will come alive through various art projects, hands-on demonstrations and interactive programming including storytelling, science and cooking demonstrations. In addition, funds will be used to create “book nooks” in the children’s garden for children to discover and have a quiet place to read. “Our gift to this innovative and interactive two-year project at The Myriad Gardens is a perfect way to commemorate
this significant anniversary with a distinctive and lasting community project as we wrap up our focus area of ‘Changing Lives Through Literacy’,” said Junior League President Cristi Reiger. The JLOC has a history of commemorating significant anniversaries with distinctive projects. Past signature projects have included the Jungle Gym at the OKC Zoo and The Zone at the Children’s Hospital. The 85th Anniversary grants to the YWCA and The Myriad Gardens will add to this legacy. A fantastical storytellers chair, made possible by a generous gift from Gail and Bill Beals, will add volumes to the storytelling program at the Gardens! 5
