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Tri-Valley auction raises funds
For two hours on Saturday, Tri-Valley Developmental Services opened its doors to the public in an effort to raise money for its horticultural therapy program and in doing so netted more than $5,000 during its biannual Tri-Valley Gardeners Christmas Auction at TVDS, 4305 Campbell Dr.
Though representatives of TVDS were still adding totals on Monday, TVDS Public Relations Director Aimee Banks said she was confident they had already surpassed their $5,000 goal. She estimated that about 300 people attended the event. The 2011 event attracted about 150-200 people and raised about $5,000. Banks said Saturday's event was one of the biggest turnouts the center has had.
The silent auction included many garden-related items, including a large, handcrafted birdhouse donated by Ed Keating, gardening tools, flowering bulbs, gift certificates, and Christmas-themed home decor items.
The Gardener's Christmas started in 2007 as a way to help raise money to build the greenhouse complex near the Fort Scott service center in 2008.
Banks said the horticulture program was the brainchild of TVDS' Barbara McCord.
"Barbara loves the clients and just wanted to be able to do something that would allow them to have the same experiences in the garden that you or I would have," Banks said. "She had her own business with a greenhouse and her parents did as well, so to be able to bring something like that to Tri-Valley is something that is very special and dear to her heart."
The greenhouse offers various plants and flowers wholesale to some local retail outlets and civic organizations. It was built to provide clients and staff with a year-round horticultural therapy program, and because the program had grown too large for its previous location. Students in the construction trades program at Fort Scott High School built the structure.
The horticulture therapy program provides clients with outdoor therapy and experience for possible job options in the horticulture field. Clients are also able to exercise, learn about teamwork, patience and the satisfaction that comes with nurturing.
"Since the greenhouse was built, this event goes toward maintaining the greenhouse with raised beds that help our clients so that they can have the gardening experience," Banks said.
She said that through the years, wood and materials used in the construction of the greenhouse begin to deteriorate and the funds help with the upkeep of the structure.
"We are so excited to have so many members of the community come out on a beautiful Saturday morning and we are really excited to see the outcome of everything," Banks said. "It's a lot like our Gala, it's not just people in the community that donate, we get donations from all over the country."
She said that during the years that an auction is not scheduled, McCord spends her time soliciting for donations.
"She needs that year to be able to do that and it works wonders," Banks said.