Rapid Ann Garden Club Make-and-Take

Finding enjoyable, wholesome activities, open to all within a community is often a challenge given limited time, resources and funds. But when individuals, businesses and community organizations join efforts, such a thing is an achievable goal.

The Rapid Ann Garden Club hosted an event free to members of the community in which they could make a floral arrangement and take it home (a make-and-take).

Local grocery stores were asked for donations of flowers. Garden club members also donated fillers/greens, floral foam and containers for the arrangements. The club worked in conjunction with the Arts Center in Orange which allowed us to utilize their grounds for the project.

The event provided an opportunity for promotion of the Rapid Ann Garden Club, community interaction, fostering an interest in gardening and flower arranging. A bride-to-be was even inspired to consider making her own flower arrangements for her up coming wedding. To my knowledge, no such thing had been previously offered in the community.

The make-and-take was a success! Garden club members volunteered their time working in two hour shifts in which they set up for the event (and take down afterward), they prepped the foliage, encouraged and advised attendees in making their arrangements. All manner of children, adults, male and female participated and went home with a pretty floral arrangement and a smile.

The extraordinary thing is that no one individual, business or organization had to shoulder a financial burden as the venue, all items and time were donated. And an enjoyable, cost-free community activity was available to all.