Wilton Garden Club (WGC) held its third annual Giving Days over the past few weeks, during which it delivered $8,287 in philanthropic donations to nine charitable causes in town. It also supported a scholarship for Connecticut higher education students sponsored by Federated Garden Clubs of CT, and Penny Pines, a reforestation initiative sponsored by National Garden Clubs, Inc.
The nine local nonprofits that WGC supported include:
Ambler Farm
Making Wilton Beautiful
Norwalk River Valley Trail
Norwalk River Watershed Association
Pollinator Pathway
Wilton Go Green
Wilton Historical Society
Wilton Land Trust
Wilton Library Association
“We support these wonderful organizations because they align with our club’s cornerstones of education, conservation, preservation and beautification,” WGC’s philanthropy co-chair Nancy Greeley, said. “We believe in the work they’re doing for our community and are very happy to contribute to their efforts.”
WGC’s charitable donations are funded primarily through proceeds from its long-held (85 years!) annual Mother’s Day Plant Sale, which is set this year for Friday, May 10 (12-6 p.m.) and Saturday, May 11 (10 a.m.-2 p.m.), rain or shine, at the Wilton Center Gazebo on the Town Green (101 Old Ridgefield Rd.). Additionally, a pre-sale event will be held Wednesday, May 8 (10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.) at the Comstock Community Center Greenhouse (180 School Rd.) for those especially eager buyers wanting first dibs on smaller items such as hanging and floral baskets and organic herbs and vegetable plants.
“We are beyond grateful for the community’s continued support of our plant sale. As it’s our primary fundraiser, it enables us to beautify our town as well as support many other important causes in town. We’re hoping for a high turnout again this year,” WGC President Ann Margaret Mannix said.
The WGC annual Mother’s Day plant sale is one of the largest and most comprehensive plant sales in Connecticut; last year’s attendance was record-setting. Offerings include a wide selection of popular perennials, colorful annuals, organic vegetables and herbs, huge hanging baskets, wildflowers, indoor houseplants, flowering shrubs, patio containers, and floral arrangements and gift baskets. Several native and pollinator plants will be available, too, as well as a large selection of rare and award-winning dahlia tubers.
Over 100 years old, the Wilton Garden Club is a civic-minded organization dedicated to education, conservation, preservation and beautification. Boasting an active membership of 130 individuals, the club’s common thread is a love of gardening and a commitment to Wilton. Membership includes master gardeners and industry professionals as well as novices who want to learn more. With 25 different committees, ranging from Conservation to Civics to Greenhouse to Flower Arranging, members easily find something that suits their interests. For more information visit the Wilton Garden Club website.