Club Projects 2009-2010

Reading Garden: A new and on-going project has been adopted by the Sandy Springs Garden Club in the community. In the spring of 2009, the garden club donated $1,000 to ART Sandy Springs (ARTSS) park project adjacent to the regional library. The park land has been cleared, irrigated, and several garden planted by different community groups. The Sandy Springs Garden Club has chosen a garden area on each side of the street entrance to the park as its on-going project to plant and maintain. There will be a plaque recognizing the garden club.

Operation Figleaf: The garden club buys new packaged under-garments for the patients of the Milledgeville State Hospital patients. They are given by members at the December holiday luncheon. This is an on-going project of the Garden Club of Georgia in which the club has participated for several years.

Southeastern Flower Show: The garden club has an entry in the SFS in one of the Artistic Division areas that includes all members. We also support the SFS through a yearly contribution. Several of our members enter individual competition in different areas of the show, and we have many red and blue ribbon winners. The club has also won the Day Award for the most hours contributed by a garden club for three years in a row. Three of our members have been overall SFS Chairs, and several other members have been SFS division chairs, judges, and clerks. One of our members has been in charge of Garden Club Day for the SFS, and our membership has provided the manpower for the Garden Club Day. Members also serve on the SFS Board of Directors.

Williams-Payne House Honorary Garden: Established by the garden club, this garden is located beside the historic Williams Payne House. It is refurbished and maintained by club members. A plaque at the site lists the garden club members who have been active for more than 30 years in the garden club, and this garden is in their honor.

Feed the Birds at Big Trees: The garden club bird-feeding schedule at the historic Big Trees Preserve involves maintaining the bird feeders from October through December each year. The club works with three other clubs to keep the feeders in good shape, as well as to add new ones when needed. Out club co-ordinates the feeding schedules with the other clubs.

Oakland Cemetery: The garden club supports the efforts of the City of Atlanta and the cemetery preservation group that works to take care of this historical cemetery where many of Georgia's famous citizens are buried. The club has given donations to the project, and our members have joined the work days that are coordinated by our Dogwood garden club district.

Workshops: The garden club has several members who are expert in fields ranging from arranging flowers to creating garden ornaments. During the year we offer and participate in such workshops as miniature flower arranging, making flower leaf concrete dishes, and making holiday and seasonal decorations. Club members also attend workshops held at local floral and plant nursery locations that are sponsored by our district and federation.

Sandy Springs Festival: The garden club members support the festival through individual donations and attendance. The club also assumes the responsibility of manning one of the entrance gates at the festival. The festival is held during a weekend in September each year, and all of the proceeds are used to improve the community.