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Community

The Bloom and Grow Garden Society is celebrating our 25th year in the West Orange community. We take our mission statement seriously through our involvement in community service, landscape projects and financial support. Since the club’s inception, we have donated over $536,000 in our community that includes $203,000 for college scholarships. The University of Florida received scholarship monies for students with a focus on horticulture, landscape, forestry or the sustainability of native botanical habitats such as degree programs in Horticultural Science, Forest Resources and Conservation, Natural Resource Conservation or Plant Science. And, Valencia College got scholarship funds for students focused on the Horticultural Science AA degree program or those working to obtain a certificate in Landscape or Horticulture. Our cash grants went to:

 

West Orange Habitat for Humanity for landscaping of six homes planned for East Winter Garden which includes funds for landscaping, plants, trees and fencing.

 

Nehrling Gardens for the construction of an equipment and tool shed which will store tools and landscaping equipment. Relocation of these items from the garage will allow it to be converted into an activity and educational space.


Oakland Nature Preserve for a Gopher Tortoise assessment in the restored wildflower habitats and the continuation of educational
programs for all ages. The tortoises are listed as threatened by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation.

 

Ocoee High School for a program which provides students with hands on learning about the biological and scientific environment of production agriculture. It teaches the basics of agriculture with a focus on plant science. The funding allows for the completion of the raised bed gardens, too.

 
We want to thank all of you in our community who have supported us throughout the years. By attending Spring Fever in the Garden each year, you help. By being a sponsor at Spring Fever, you help. By purchasing a plant at one of our sales, you help. By buying a brick from the Path of Life, you help. Our success depends on community involvement and, you have given that to us over the years. We hope to serve or community for many years to come.

You can help support our mission

Here is where we have made a difference to overall quality of life in our area:

Community Service & Landscape Projects

  • Co-sponsored with the City of Winter Garden the annual Spring Fever in the Garden festival. Proceeds fund scholarships and community activities.

  • Created and established the Path of Life, a meditation/memorial garden at Chapin Station on the West Orange Trail in Winter Garden.

  • Planted 1000 Trees for 1000 Years in one day at Tucker Ranch, a 209 acre Recreational Park and Nature Preserve in Winter Garden.

  • Created and identified heritage and specimen trees throughout Winter Garden. Collected history and stories about the trees. Developed a Heritage Tree Walking Tour and map for the public to enjoy by scanning the labels for history and other information. Entered the Winter Garden trees in a national date base for posterity.

  • Presented nurses at hospital facilities in the West Orange area with thank you plants for Nurses week during the covid 19 lockdown.

  • Created and installed a sensory garden for United Cerebral Palsy of Central Florida, West Orange campus in Winter Garden.

  • Designed and installed landscaped for Habitat for Humanity.

  • Designed and installed landscape at the Christian Service Center, Ocoee.

  • Landscaped Mathews Hope transitional homes and assisted with their vegetable garden.

  • Landscaped for Home at Last program for wounded military families in West Orange county.

  • Annual Arbor day tree plantings in West Orange and Lake country areas.

  • Landscaped the gazebo in Oakland Town Square.

  • Landscaped the Palm Park Gazebo in Windermere.

  • Landscaped the entryway at the Winter Garden Art Association.

  • Established a Junior Garden Club at Windy Ridge Elementary School.

  • Maintain and plant the Butterfly Garden along the West Orange Trail.

  • New landscaping, bench and trellis with queen’s wreath vine for entrance to Health Central Park Nursing & Rehab Facility, Winter Garden.

Financial Support

  • Award cash scholarships each year to students in horticultural and environmental studies at the University of Florida and Valencia College. 

  • Funds were given to Florida School for the Deaf and Blind in St. Augustine, Florida for their horticulture program.

  • Contribute to Oakland Nature Preserve to aid the restoration and preservation of 130 acres adjacent to Lake Apopka includes butterfly plantings for the sandhill community and wood duck nesting boxes.

  • Contribute to downtown Winter Garden beautification efforts

  • Contribute to future environmental/educational kiosks at Tucker Ranch.

  • Contribute to preservation of Nehrling’s Home and Garden, an historical botanical garden offering education for all age groups.

  • Contributed to the renovation of the Garden Theater.

  • Contributed to Windermere and Ocoee streetscapes.

  • Present donations of horticultural and environments books to West Orange and South Lake County elementary and middle schools.

  • Support Lake County Extension 4-H projects.

  • Support of youth education programs that stress the strong agricultural history at the Winter Garden Heritage Foundations. Benefits over 3000 students.

  • Supported Orlando Health School Garden Project for elementary schools in Winter Garden.

  • Sponsored annual scholarships at the Wekiva Summer Environmental Camp.

You can help support our mission

Bloom & Grow Garden Society is a designated 501(c)(3); Registration#:CH23240. A copy of the official registration and financial information may be obtained from the division of consumer services by calling toll-free within the state. Registration does not imply endorsement, approval or recommendation by the state. 1-800-435-7352 

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