News

Please note, this page is but a brief insight into the dozens of Community Outreach, Fundraising and Patient Assistance events The Giving Garden has participated in over the past 2-1/2 years.

March 12 2011 - TGGF partners with the County of Gloucester in their 1st Annual Clean Community Day Event

* * * 40 bags of aluminum cans collected! * * *

We have so many to thank for the success of our aluminum can collections in conjunction with Gloucester County roadside cleanups!  This event was a collaborative effort between Kathie Bennett of Gloucester's Clean Community Commitee, Branch Lackes (GHS Senior) and his mentor Tina Hough Clevinger.  Branch was able to recruit over 20 wonderful volunteers to assist in cleaning aluminum cans off of the roadsides of Guinea Loop, Hickory Fork Road and Cappahosic Road.  In addition, roadside clean up crews from around Gloucester also collected cans during their cleanup efforts and dropped them off to TGGF Volunteers Debbie Polston & Tim and Kayla Turner.  We received a total of 1-1/2 truck loads of aluminum cans!  THANK YOU everyone for your tireless and selfless participation!  And a big THANKS to GLAD for their donation of $1,000 and 450 GLAD Forceflex trashbags to TGGF!

 With the help of TGGF volunteers, Sandpiper Reef Owner (Liz Scribe & daughters Allison & Maggie), Sandpiper employees and our dinner guests, $325.00 in tips were raised for The Giving Garden Foundation. Besides dining on some of the area's finest fare, dinner guests were treated to the soothing sounds of the ultra-talented musical genious, Larry Heatwole.  Mr. Heatwole generously donated his time for this event as well! We can't say thank you enough! 

2010 Financial Assistance Recap:

With the help of the Gloucester & Mathews communities, our fabulous volunteers, unwavering sponsors, and generous media resources, TGGF was able to provide over $7000.00 in financial assistance to 5 cancer patients in 2010. Without each of you we wouldn't have been able to reach our goals and carryout our mission of local advocacy.  Thank You!

December 2010 - TGGF WINS The 2nd Annual Festival of Trees Competition for our "Love and Remembrance Tree"

 For the second year, TGGF took 1st place in the Annual Festival of Trees Competition at the Hampton Inn in Gloucester.  This event raised $1,248.00 to support our mission!  Over 10 different local charities competed by decorating a Christmas tree in the theme of their choosing.  Local residents and business owners were invited to visit the Hampton & Comfort Inns over the month of December and to Vote for their favorite tree by making a monetary donation (of any amount) to the charity with the best decorated tree.  The Giving Garden had requested submissions of photographs containing images of loved ones who have faced a battle with cancer.  We continue to be moved and inspired by our communities' outpouring of support.

November 20, 2010 - Independent Vendor Expo @ the Piankatank Ruritan Club:

 Over $500 was raised to support TGGF at this Vendor Fair featuring over 30 local independent vendors! We are eternally grateful to Lili Dixon for inviting us to take part in this event, to the generous vendors who donated a portion of their proceeds or merchandise which was raffled off for our benefit and to the numerous ladies who donated scrumptious goodies for our bake sale.

 November 5 -6, 2010 - TGGF'S 30 Hour Continuous CropAThon at the Hampton Inn

 We would like to thank Shannon Gabany Booth one of our many wonderful volunteers for chairing the event!  Thank you to Becki with Creative Memories for providing her time and talents, Elite Construction for their $100 Sponsorship, Field's Quilting and Craft Supplies for their generous donations and we must not forget our appreciation for those wonderful ladies who attended this event! 

May 16, 2010 - We were featured in the DAILY PRESS'S "MAKING A DIFFERENCE" Series

Mr. Gillard of the Daily Press contacted TGGF President Melisa Wamsley, seeking a nomination by TGGF to highlight a volunteer for the Daily Press's "Making a Difference" series.  After careful review of our Volunteer base, The Giving Garden Foundation Board unanimously elected to nominate not just one Volunteer, but a family of Volunteers: Char Turner, husband Tim, daughter Jessica and Char's sister Monique Jackson-Fitzgerald and husband Rick.  TGGF was honored to be included in the series however the article failed to mention Tim, Rick & Jessica. 

Therefore, TGGF wishes everyone to know that Jessica, is a bright and caring 13-year old who has eagerly donated countless hours to assist us in Community Outreach efforts, helped paint our Can Cottages in February and assisted her mom with decorating our tree in the 2010 Festival of Trees Competition.  And she has done so on her own accord.  THANK YOU Jessica for your outpouring of support and selfless giving of your time.  Tim and Rick have also provided countless hours of service, always lending a hand at a minutes notice. They are both a breath of fresh air and bring wit and charm with their service to their community.

The Giving Garden Foundation is honored to have this family, along with several other families and individuals who serve alongside us in our mission of advocacy for local patients.  Jim Leiffer & family, John Poole (14) - started his own neighborhood recycling collection, Jay, Rachel, Dustin (16)& Carter (12) Garrett, Trey & Tristen (13) Fary, Pamela Barnette, Nick & Fran Bonniville, Heather & Makenna (9) Keyes, Jean LaRoche, Ray & Liam (5)Wamsley, Craig & Evan (4)Sanford, Randy & Meagan (13)Martin, Leigh Shelton, Makalia Gleason Records, Susan Finkel Fary, Diana Weaver, Jason Portell, Petrina Riley, Amy Swaney, Dick Beasley & John Snyder.

MAY 8, 2010 - GLOUCESTER GOES GREEN - TGGF was featured in the Gloucester-Mathews Gazette Journal

TGGF was invited to participate in the Gloucester Goes Green event to bring awareness about recycling to our local community.  We handed out 11 aluminum can recycling bins to residents of Gloucester and Mathews and collected 3-1/2 lawn size trash bags of cans.  THANK YOU to all who came out to show their support and commitment to building a sustainable environment.  "Together, we CAN" advocate

APRIL 17, 2010 - HELPING HANDS FESTIVAL

Despite early morning showers, the Helping Hands Festival proved to be a success.  We received a little over $300 in donations.  $216 coming from a 50/50 raffle (in which the winner donated the proceeds back to TGGF) and a $100 donation from Gloria Atwell in memory of Sally Nardozzi.  THANK YOU to all who came out to support our mission of advocacy!  A special note of thanks to Meagan Martin, Page Middle School NJHS member who raised 90% of our 50/50 raffle proceeds that day! Way to go Meagan!

MARCH 27&28 2010 - GLOUCESTER'S ANNUAL DAFFODIL FESTIVAL

For a second consecutive year, The Giving Garden secured a Vendor space at the Gloucester Daffodil Festival.  An event that attracts thousands of visitors each year.  The weather could not have been more perfect!  This event provided us with an opportunity to reach out to our Gloucester & Mathews citizens in order to raise awareness and support for our Foundation .  The Daffodil Festival Committee also kindly allowed us to place aluminum can collection bins around the food area. 

FEBRUARY 13 2010 - FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROVIDED TO OUR FIRST CANCER PATIENT APPLICANT

We are pleased to announce that on Saturday, February 13, 2010, the TGGF Board of Directors authorized $530 in financial assistance to our first applicant.  The assistance provided has been sent out in the form of three checks.  One to VA Power, one to Peninsula Cancer Institute (6 copayments for radiation treatments) and the third check went to Rite Aid (3 copayments for 3 prescriptions). 

FEBRUARY 21st & 22nd 2010 - CAN COTTAGE BUILD WEEKEND

TGGF Board Members and a dozen volunteers will come together to build 2 Can Cottages to support our "Together we CAN advocate" recycling program.  We are still amazed at how much was accomplished in two days! THANK YOU to the many hands who helped build these unique cottage structures!

TGGF is actively seeking two Sponsors for two can cottages! One is already in place at Best Value Supermarket in Mathews and we are working to secure a location in the northern end of Gloucester for the third location.  Our first cottage is located at the Abingdon Ruritan Club in Bena.  If you would like to support our cause, simply start collecting your aluminum cans and drop them off at one of the cottages! 

SEPTEMBER 2009 - GLOUCESTER KIWANIS CLUB SPONSORS TGGF

The newly formed Kiwanis Club of Gloucester, chose TGGF as it's first recipient of sponsorship! Throughout August and September of 2009 the Kiwanis club held an aluminum can drive on behalf of TGGF and a one day drive event in front of Wal-Mart in Gloucester.  Proceeds raised for TGGF were in excess of $70.  Ambrose Disposal also participated by donating a garbage truck for the day and hauling the cans to the Middlesex recycling center.  THANK YOU!

APRIL 2009 - VIRGINIA ONCOLOGY ASSOCIATES SPONSORS THE GIVING GARDEN RADIO ADVERTISEMENTS

The VOA group generously donated 10 radio spots to TGGF on WXGM Xtra 99.1FM.  The ad spots ran for a month and provided a much needed community outreach tool for the 8 month young Giving Garden Foundation.  Thank you Virginia Oncology Associates for your support.  (VOA continues to be an asset to the success of TGGF and recently donated items for the goody-bags that will be given out at our PLAY IT FORWARD Charity Golf Tournament.

TRANSPORTATION VOLUNTEERS NEEDED - ONGOING NEED

TGGF is working on behalf and in conjunction with Lisa Pribble Goodall of the American Cancer Society to recruit transportation volunteers for their "ROAD TO RECOVERY" program.  The ROAD TO RECOVERY provides transportation assistance to cancer patients free of charge.  If you would like to volunteer please email one of our board members or contact Melisa Weaver Wamsley, President at (757) 329-8266.  Whether you have 5 hours a month or 20 hours a month to assist, your time is much needed to develop this service in our rural communities.