The Summit County Garden Club has one fundraiser only, the “Garden Tour”, held in July each year. It is a wonderful event which provides residents and visitors with an opportunity to see what hard working and patient gardeners can create in our harsh mountain environment. The funds raised are fed back to worthy projects and recipients within our community. They include:
- Breckenridge Alpine Garden
- With the blessing and support of the Town of Breckenridge, we are creating a flowering oasis in the middle of the town, alongside the Blue River. It is a good place to spend some peaceful time admiring the flowers, or to sit by the rippling river and enjoy a picnic lunch. We test plants in this garden, provided by “Plant Select”, but we also buy soil amendments, mulch and plants to beautify the spot. Our members have put a lot of hard work into this effort. The project isn’t complete, but we’re working on it. Look out for the signs to the Garden from Main Street.
- Senior Garden
- The garden provides a glorious approach to the Community and Senior Center in Frisco. Over the years the plants have matured and the blossoms are bold and beautiful. It is a model for gardening in Summit County. Thanks go to one of our members, Marie Roberts, and her team who have created and maintained this small, but magnificent garden. Marie is moving to the east to be nearer family and friends. Donna Reuterman, another one of our members, has volunteered to head up the group who will continue with this effort following Marie's departure.
- Silvana's Community Gardens
- We contributed to the development of this community garden in Silverthorne (near the Recreational Center). Started in 2009, the garden has gone from strength to strength, now producing some impressive vegetables and fruits.
- 4H Pocket Garden
- 4H participants, mainly of elementary school age, have a small area which they cultivate in Silvana’s Garden (above). You wouldn’t believe the enthusiasm and excitement this endeavor provides. The children cultivate their garden and plan those items which are to be grown ….. with a little guidance, of course! To be involved with this project is a real treat.
- Summit Prevention Alliance
- Greenhouses near the Community and Senior Center in Frisco produce food for some members of our community or raise funds for their maintenance by selling home grown products. Our Garden Club contributed to the establishment of this project.
- Summit Libraries
- Garden Club funds were donated to the Summit County Libraries to update gardening texts. Naturally, high altitude gardening was the focus of the texts purchased.
- Scholarship for a Summit County High School Senior
- We are so excited to announce that we have given a scholarship to a graduating Senior commencing in 2011, and will do so on an annual basis. Our thanks go to Beverly Breakstone for organizing this achievement.
- The scholarship dictates that the student should be interested in pursuing studies in the fields of plants and plant life, horticulture, botany, ecology, farming or landscape design at an accredited post-secondary, four-year educational institution, preferably in Colorado.
- To help a young member of our community pursue studies in one of the areas mentioned above, provides a great source of satisfaction for the members of Summit County Garden Club.
- Summit County Hospital Garden, St. Anthony Summit Medical Center, Frisco
- The hospital garden, the result of a grant from the Garden Club, is now in its third year.
One of our members, Joanne Masica, was approached by the hospital prior to its opening to design a splash of color and provide some beauty at the main entrance. The small flower garden continues to enhance the area close to the main door and provides a soothing approach for folks as they arrive at this destination.
- The hospital garden, the result of a grant from the Garden Club, is now in its third year.