COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECTS

 

Here are some of the Projects of which the Geneva Garden Club is proudly involved:

  • Annual Scholarship(s) to a qualified student who is a resident of Geneva and is planning continued education in horticulture, landscaping, environmental sustainability or a closely related field.  The GGC is currently offering $10,000 in scholarship money to qualified individuals.  
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  • Arbor Day plantings -$3,500 in 2019 donated to the Geneva Park District for the planting of new trees. Over the years we have increased our spending in response to the loss of a significant number of trees due to the Emerald Ash Borer. In conjunction with the Geneva Park District and the City of Geneva, we have planted more than 200 trees.
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  • Garden Club Park – Garden Club Park has been completely rebuilt and redesigned in a joint project with the Geneva Park District, the city of Geneva, and the Geneva Garden Club.  After a long winter of demolition and construction equipment, Garden Club Park re-opened to visitors in the summer of 2023.  GGC members volunteered their time and talents, along with many of their own plants, to beautify the garden.  The Geneva Garden Club has budgeted $30,000 over the next 10 years to help pay for the renovations.  
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  • Geneva Beautification – Our Garden Club Committee volunteers to plant and maintain the “Knuckle” at the corner of State Street and 3rd Street in downtown Geneva. Our club also designs and funds landscape plans adding shrubs and additional annual and perennial plantings with donations this year of $130. We support Geneva Beautification with an annual donation of $100 to help fund the plantings they provide.  
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  • Geneva Public Library Our members donate and create monthly arrangements at the checkout desk.
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  • Geneva History Museum  Members plant and maintain the entrance planter as well as participate in their annual Giving Tree Program. 
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  • CASA Planters –  The GGC provides plantings for the 4 large containers at the CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) Garden located behind the Courthouse on Third Street in Downtown Geneva.
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  • Japanese Tea Garden  – This garden is located in the Fabyan Forest Preserve which was acquired by the Kane County Forest Preserve district. The GGC donated the custom made teak tea table that is featured in the tea house.  A dedication service in the name of Geneva Garden Club’s beloved, Darlene Larson, was held in the spring of 2022. An additional $250 will be donated toward the continuing restoration of the Japanese Tea Garden and grounds with assistance from the Friends of Fabyan. 
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  • Illinois Master Gardener Program – we provide financial support of $250 annually to further their mission.
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  • Community Outreach – Geneva Garden Club continues its mission of beautification and gardening education in the community.  In 2019 donations of $3,425 were allocated to assist projects at Arden Court Senior Center and The Holmstad with garden improvements and providing ongoing gardening assistance to the female inmates at the Kane County Jail. Since then, the Geneva Garden Club has expanded its community outreach with the addition of planters at the American Legion and Marklund Homes as well as providing the mulch for the children’s sensory garden at Heartland Elementary School. 

  • The Covid Pandemic of 2020 deeply affected our fundraising efforts, however the GGC felt it was important to continue to support our community as best we could.  The GGC donated $1,100 to the Northern Illinois Food Bank, $650 to Tri County Health Partnership as well as sent flowers to the Delnor ER staff.