The Kiwanis Club of Golden Ears has new vitality, and is starting this spring by taking orders for its annual plant sale.
On April 1, the club opens online pre-orders for its largest annual fundraiser – the Spring Plant Sale. Sun and shade hanging baskets and planters are $25 each. This year, fuchsia baskets ($30) and deluxe hanging baskets ($35) will also be available.
“We are very excited about a new partnership with Grow and Gather to offer refillable liquid fertilizer jugs. For $5 purchasers get endless refills, as well as a coupon for $30 off a purchase of $150 or more until July 31. It’s a great deal and will help keep your plants healthy and blooming into the fall,” said plant sale coordinator Lynn Prindle.
In-person sales take place on Friday, May 10, from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Ridge Meadows Hospital, and Saturday, May 11, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Ridge Meadows Hospice Thrift Store.
“The timing is perfect – just in time for Mother’s Day,” added Prindle.
After a few tough years struggling with waning membership, the club has found new life by offering flexible ways to participate. Quarterly meetings that celebrate how its funding has made a difference in the community means members can focus volunteer time supporting key fundraising initiatives like the plant sale.
“Our members are passionate about supporting local projects for children and youth, so we want to make sure that being a Kiwanian is fun and rewarding,” explained president Kim Dumore.
“There are no membership fees currently and no minimum monthly time requirements. We will take all the help we can get,” she said, adding new members with administration, marketing, social media, and past board experience would be appreciated.
Online plant orders are available at kiwanisgoldenears.ca/plant-sales. Visit the site for more information including pick-up times and locations.
All profits from the annual plant sale go right back into the community. In 2023 this included:
• $8,000 in scholarships for local high school students
• $3,000 for a new Ridge Meadows Hospital Foundation Hug a Bear program
• $3,000 MRSS Music Program
• $2,500 Christmas Haven
• $2,500 Rent Bank
• $2,500 Eric Langton Fine Arts Program
• $1,500 Farmers Market Coupon Program
• $1,500 SD42 Alternate Education Food Security program
• $1,000 North Fraser Therapeutic Riding Associations
• $1,000 Ruskin Community Association
• $800 Maple Ridge Climate Hub
New to the list of projects the club supports is bursaries for students enrolled in trades programs at the high school level.
“The fees for these programs can be prohibitive for some students and the Kiwanis Club wants to help as many young people as possible be successful,” added Dumore.
For more information on how to become a Kiwanis Club member, email: kiwanisofgoldenears@gmail.com or visit kiwanisgoldenears.ca
