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De ve l o p m e n t
Dear Friends:
In 1810, Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826) wrote to a friend,
“We are all doubtless bound to contribute a certain portion
of our income to the support of charitable and other useful
public institutions.” To Jefferson, it was not a question
of whether he should contribute, but rather how best to do
it. Besieged by a “multitude of applications… from every
quarter of the Union on behalf of academies, churches,
missions, hospitals [and] charitable establishments,” he reasoned
that it was best to donate “to the institutions within
our own reach, under our own eye.” *
We at Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens realize
that you, like Jefferson, have received many requests from
worthy causes. We want to thank you for choosing to support
The Gardens in these challenging economic times.
Whether you are a regular customer at the Spring and Fall
Plant Sales, a sponsor or committee member for the upcoming
Antiques at The Gardens, or a new or renewing
member, we welcome your investment in us and, thus, in
our community.
We invite you to visit The Gardens this summer to see
your gifts at work. Follow the children from the Birmingham
Park and Recreation Board program on their Garden
Explorations. Meet our Rotary intern, Steve Kennedy, or
talk with Curator of the Kaul Wildflower Garden, Patrick
Daniel. Watch Horticultural Therapist Susan Grimes teach
visitors from Children’s Hospital to pot plants. Seek advice
from the Herb Army, other plant society members, our
gardening staff or our library. We want to show you that
we are using your funds wisely to make a positive impact
on the citizens of Birmingham and Alabama.
Thank you again for supporting Birmingham Botanical
Gardens, a local “charitable establishment” which belongs
to all of us and, as Jefferson recommended, is within reach
and under your watchful eye.
Olivia Alison, Director of Development
*Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Kercheval, January 15, 1810.
Library of Congress, Papers of Thomas Jefferson: Retirement
Series, volume 2, page 147-48, with thanks to Jeffrey C. Walker.
2009 Sp r i n g Pl a n t Sa l e
Mos t Su c c e s s f u l Ev e r !
Birmingham Botanical Gardens' annual Spring Plant Sale was the most successful of
all time. Here are some of highlights:
• More than $265,000 raised;
• Nearly 7,400 attended;
• More than 85,000 plants sold.
Spring Plant Sale proceeds benefit Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens' education
programs and activities. Some of these programs include Discovery Field
Trips, Children's Summer Workshops, Adult & Family Classes and Horticultural
Therapy. Last year more than 10,000 school children were able to take advantage of
free Discovery Field Trips to learn about science and nature. A special thank you
goes out to all of our Spring Plant Sale volunteers!
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We need your help with the
following items, victims of 2009
funding cuts:
• Lobby Flower
Arrangements:
$325 a month
• Library Books:
$30 to $500 each
• Energy Conference
Sponsor:
$1000