GCFP Projects

CHILDREN'S GARDEN AT HERSHEY GARDENS

The Garden Club Federation is a sponsor of The Children's Gardens at Hershey Gardens. The Children's Gardens has been designed to provide educational opportunities through hands-on-experience throughout the theme gardens. This garden will appeal to children of all ages and Hershey Gardens will maintain its commitment to horticulture excellence and opportunities for learning. The GCFP sponsored "The Boys in the Cannas Garden." This half circle trellis and limestone wall provide the setting for a planting of cannas where footprints lead into the cannas and topiary faces to recreate a historic photograph of the boys at the Hershey Industrial School. The "Show-off Garden" was also be sponsored by the GCFP. It has plants with weird and wacky names, flowers, fruits and growth habits such as red-hot pokers, elephant ears and candy corn vine. For additional information, contact: Craig George, Public Programs Coordinator, Hershey Gardens, P.O. Box 416, Hershey, PA 17033

Sister Clubs

The Sister Clubs Program is an initiative launched by National Garden Clubs, Inc. The program's mission statement is to facilitate building of friendships among garden clubs throughout the world. Its purpose is to offer opportunities to build unity within our National membership and expand gardening horizons by developing new friendships, exchanging seeds and plants, sharing ideas, and working together grant projects. GCFP member clubs are urged to consider sharing and celebrating their gardens by connecting with a Sister Club somewhere in the US or the world. There are about 26 International Affiliates that are obvious prospects. Contact our GCFP Sister Clubs Chairman once you have established your Sister Club. She plans to maintain a registry of all these clubs.

HORTICULTURAL THERAPY

GCFP urges all member clubs to participate in some form of horticultural therapy in their local community. Locations where they might help individuals of all ages with some disability or handicap are hospitals, schools for the deaf, blind, mentally and emotionally challenged; special education classes in schools, convalescent homes and geriatric homes as well as retirement centers and senior centers. Clubs may wish to assist in the development and maintenance of barrier-free gardens in the community. Providing soil, seeds, and plants for working in a garden area or planting in pots; creating garden- related crafts and projects; playing garden lotto or other games are just a few ways to provide wonderful stimulation for seniors, disabled or handicapped individuals.

PENNSYLVANIA RESOURCES COUNCIL

The purpose of the Pennsylvania Resources Council is to inform the public through education and other appropriate means of the need for sound conservation practices for the preservation of natural resources and the protection of the environment. PRC implements these goals by shedding light on watersheds, tire recycling, educating children, waste reduction and recycling. The protection of scenic roads and prevention of billboard blight also comes under their care. GCFP encourages membership in and support of the Pennsylvania Resources Council that is striving to make our communities better places in which to work and live.

The Pennsylvania Resources Council story began in 1939 when a group of concerned citizens met to discuss what could be done to stop the rapid proliferation of billboards in scenic areas. Inspired by the work of The Garden Club Federation of Pennsylvania and the Garden Club of America in fighting billboard blight, this meeting resulted in the organization of the Associated Clubs of Pennsylvania for Roadside Development in 1939. The Associated Clubs quickly expanded to include government, civic and business leaders. Later that year (1939) the Associated Clubs formally became PA Roadside Council.

Construction Junction is Western Pennsylvania's first 501(C) 3 nonprofit retail store for used (and surplus) building materials. Supported by Pennsylvania Resources Council, the oldest grass roots environmental organization in the state, CJ's mission is to "promote conservation through the reuse of building materials." Construction Junction, 6331 A.V.R.R., Pittsburgh, PA 15201, is located under the 62nd Street Bridge in Lawrenceville. Phone: (414) 799-0805

RACHEL CARSON HOMESTEAD

The Rachel Carson Homestead is being preserved as an educational center. Rachel Carson, one of the greatest environmentalists of the 20th Century, wrote Silent Spring in 1962, which documented her concern for the future of our planet. Plans are underway for a new garden providing a more aesthetically pleasing view of the Homestead's historic building while celebrating the natural biodiversity of Western Pennsylvania.

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY LANDSCAPING

Habitat For Humanity (HFH) is an international, non-governmental, not-for-profit organization founded by a very successful, American businessman, Millard Fuller, and his wife. Since it’s inception in 1976, the mission of Habitat For Humanity has been to provide decent, safe and affordable housing for people in need without regard to race or religion. The houses are not a gift; homeowners must complete an ownership program that includes a minimum of 200 hours of labor on the home.

 

In 1999, National Garden Clubs, Inc. formed a partnership with Habitat For Humanity. A direct line of communication has been established with more than 1500 HFH Affiliates so that federated garden clubs across America may provide plantings and/or education on simple landscape designs that HFH homeowners can maintain. The theme of this partnership is “Open Your Heart and Hands” and the emphasis for GCFP clubs is to enhance the human and natural environment by landscaping with native trees, shrubs and plants that benefit native butterflies.

 

How can your club become involved?

• Find the local HFH office near you: consult the phone book or go to The Habitat For Humanity web page to find homes need landscaping.
• Decide what kind of help your club can provide: hands-on digging and planting, or providing perennials from your members’ gardens or a design plan with education for the family about plant care and maintenance.
• Partner with community organizations and local businesses: try to involve youth groups; they have a lot of energy! Local businesses will often discount or donate plants and/or supplies to non-profit groups.
• Donate to the GCFP HFH Fund: If you can not participate in an actual project, perhaps your club could make a donation to GCFP’s HFH Landscaping project. Donations should be sent to the State Chairman: Sharon Brown, RR2 Box 61A, Troy, PA.16947-9501. Checks should be made out to GCFP with Habitat For Humanity Landscaping on the MEMO line.
• Questions?? Call Sharon Brown at 570-297-3613 or email with the subject line: GCFP--HFH

 

FUNDING FOR HABITAT FOR HUMANITY PROJECTS

Limited funding is available from GCFP to help clubs afford some costs associated with HFH Landscaping projects. Your Club may want to apply for "Seed Money" to help fund your project. Funds are distributed annually at the GCFP Convention. All funds for HFH projects come from individual members and GCFP club donations.

The application process is simple--a Book of Evidence is not necessary!

1. After the project is completed, submit a single sheet of 8½ X 11 paper.

• On one side, indicate the club name and district, give an itemized statement of costs and a brief description of the project. Be sure to mention community involvement; it’s a plus!
• On the reverse side, submit pictures of the project in progress.

2) Send the application to the State Chairman: Sharon Brown, RR2 Box 61A, Troy, PA. 16947-9501. Questions?? Call Sharon Brown at 570-297-3613 or email with the subject line: GCFP--HFH.

3) Application deadline: January 15th