Page 86 - Sun Rays_December 2015
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Groups that give
Through clubs, groups and neighborhoods,
Sun City residents give back to Georgetown
The Horticulture Club donates its excess produce to local nonprofits and food banks.
Editor’s note: In a recent Communicator, have the club’s vegetable donations. To “But we take it a step further” says
we asked, “How does your group give date, the Horticulture Club has donated Garden Club President Carol Parsonage.
back?” Residents were asked to share 11,000 pounds – over five tons! – of Each spring, the Garden Club sponsors
their stories about how their group has produce to local nonprofit organizations. the Sun City Garden Tour. The tour -
contributed, volunteered or worked to Additionally, these donations – valued which includes native plant, herb and
improve life in the greater Georgetown at approximately $2 to $2.25 per pound Horticulture Club gardens as well as
area. The response was tremendous; – have resulted in roughly $22,000 - seven resident yards - draws attendance
the spirit of giving is indeed alive and $25,000 in charitable tax deductions for from residents and nonresidents alike.
well in Sun City Texas! the Community Association, helping to Volunteer docents educate attendees on
reduce all homeowners’ annual CA dues. the use of native plants, which conserve
HORTICULTURE CLUB Other club outreach efforts include plant water, foster wildlife and reduce wildfire
rescue, native plant education, hosting risks. All proceeds from the Garden Club
As their first Sun City Organic Gardens various clubs and homeschooled children tours are donated to local organizations
growing season came to an end in 2005, and annual participation in Junior Camp. which aid young people and teach useful
members of the Horticulture Club realized skills. In 2015, their tour resulted in
their harvest was much greater than GARDEN CLUB GROWS net proceeds of $5,000, which they will
anticipated. In response, they formed the GENEROSITY present to Brookwood in Georgetown
Community Outreach program, through (BIG), Annunciation Maternity Home,
which their overabundance is donated Swapping knowledge, plants and seeds The Junior Master Gardeners and The
to Annunciation Maternity Home, The - gardeners like to share. From planting 4H Club of Williamson County at their
Caring Place Food Bank in Georgetown flowers with memory-impaired adults and upcoming holiday party. Garden Club
and Santa Rosa Catholic Ministries in junior campers to managing the Sun City member Lynn Stude sums it up with
Andice. As membership and garden Yard of the Month, Garden Club members
beds have increased in number, so too are natural givers of time and energy. ONLINE: SCTEXAS.ORG
84 | SUNRAYS DECEMBER 2015
