Coming Up: Second Annual Southland Community Garden Walk

Looking for inspiration for your garden? Why not take a tip from a master gardener or two…or seven? On Sunday, June 24, the National Council of Jewish Women, South Cook Section, will present its second annual Southland Community Garden Walk. Beginning at Goldberg Park in Flossmoor, the walk will take you to the homes of seven local gardeners, with master gardeners on hand to answer any questions you may have.

The Garden Walk is a fundraiser with proceeds benefitting Aunt Martha’s Youth Service Center and Respond Now. It grew (ha!) out of a brainstorming session by the NCJW Board for new fundraiser ideas that would involve the whole community. Ellen Kaplan of the NCJW says, “The Garden Walk is a fundraiser that supports our community service projects, so we want as many people as possible to attend. It is also a great social event that showcases our south suburban communities.”

The first Garden Walk last summer had approximately 180 attendees, and the NCJW hopes to increase the number of attendees this year. Kaplan says, “There are a quite a variety of people that come to garden walks:  people who are really interested in gardening and want to be inspired by and learn from what they see,  people who just want to spend the day in beautiful locations, and those who come to support the community by supporting the fundraiser... Last year, we had “perfect” weather on the day of the event [and] all of the homeowners were out in their gardens making everyone feel welcome and answering questions.  One of the homeowners, who is an artist, even designed our floral logo.”

The National Council of Jewish Women is a grassroots organization of volunteers and advocates (who don’t have to be Jewish or a woman to belong) who turn progressive ideals into action. The NCJW supports a wide range of local organizations through its program of community service projects, including Garfield School in Chicago Heights, Camp Quality (an international camp for children with cancer), and the South Suburban Family Shelter. Respond Now, one of the beneficiaries of this year’s garden walk, helps area residents in need of food, clothing, shelter and transportation. The other garden walk beneficiary, Aunt Martha’s, provides counseling, foster care group homes, legal and educational service, health clinics, and business and employment opportunities for children, youth, and families in need.

The Southland Community Garden Walk starts at Goldberg Park, 3301 Flossmoor Road, Flossmoor on June 24, and runs from 10 am to 4 pm, rain or shine. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 on the day of the event. Tickets may be purchased at Sunnycrest Nursery, 19725 Governors Highway, Flossmoor or at Art 4 Soul, 18135 Harwood Avenue, Homewood, or by contacting the NCJW directly at southlandgardenwalk@gmail.com or(708) 798-4209.