Gardener's Supply Company
Local Donation Program

Improving the World Through Gardening


Random Acts of Gardening
Gardener's Supply employees Maree, Sue and Henry (driving) are ready to deliver some Random Acts of Gardening.

When we began our business back in 1983, we made a commitment to donate eight percent of our pre-tax profits to gardening-related programs that make a difference in people's lives. Today, Gardener's Supply provides support for more than 100 community-based programs and non-profit organizations all over the country.

Here in Burlington, Vermont, we've made a special effort to bring the joy of gardening into our community. As an employee-owned company, our staff is closely involved in both the business and in our larger social mission. Getting them to participate in some of these special "make a difference' activities described below, has allowed them to see first-hand what a positive effect gardening can have on the community. Here are a few of the local projects we've undertaken:

Random Acts of Gardening

Local Motion
Gardener’s Supply employee Kathy LaLiberte commits a Random Act of Gardening, delivering flower-filled planters to a local non-profit organization.
When our big green '48 Chevy pulled up in front of someone's home or place of business this spring, it meant something good was about to happen! Out of the truck came three or four Gardener's Supply staff members, and off the back came one of our self-watering planters, filled with flowers.

We delivered more than 30 of these self-contained, easy-care gardens to non-profit organizations and businesses all over Burlington, including the Community Land Trust, the Boys and Girls Club, the Multi-Generation Center, the Fire Department, several elementary schools, an elderly housing project, and the Community Health Center.

Kids and Gardening

Children enjoy touring our new allee, which bursts into bloom each spring with thousands of tulips.
During the 2003-2004 school year, Gardener's Supply worked on a pilot project with the Vermont Composting Council to help school children learn more about recycling, composting, and earth stewardship. Worm composting bins are located right in the classrooms, and composting experts from both organizations get kids involved in hands-on activities that are irresistibly squishy and squirmy. For more information about composting with kids, click here.

Gardens for Everyone

COTS garden
Gardener's Supply staff created a new garden filled with vegetables and flowers for one of our local family shelters.
This spring, we donated plants for several new gardens in Burlington's City Hall Park. In June, about a dozen staff members helped construct and plant a garden at a local family shelter, which has become a big hit, especially with the children. Working with the Vermont Department of Transportation, Gardener's Supply has donated butterfly gardens, window boxes and self-watering containers to eleven Welcome Centers located throughout the State.

We also donated plants for a new Healing Garden at the Fanny Allen Hospital, which provides a soothing respite for patients and their friends and families.

Construction activity around our main offices gave us the opportunity to start over on, and significantly expand, our display gardens. The area now features a model vegetable garden, bird and butterfly gardens, ornamental grasses and perennial flower gardens and our popular Research and Development gardens. Still in the works are a shade garden, Asian garden, herb garden, and a display of small fruits. Our Intervale display gardens are a popular destination for folks from near and far. They are open from dawn to dusk during the growing season.

Vermont Nonprofits

Vermont nonprofits may apply for a donation from Gardener's Supply by submitting a request in writing (on your organization's letterhead) at least three months in advance of your event. Please send to:

Attn.: Donations
Gardener's Supply Company
128 Intervale Rd.
Burlington, VT 05401.
We receive hundreds of donation requests every year; please be advised that we are unable to fulfill every request, even if your organization meets all of our criteria.

 

To learn about our national donations programs please click here.



 
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