Dear Friends,

We share our story by way of flowers. Piecing together this narrative comes through volunteer participation, donor involvement, and community input. As each season’s chapter closes, the gracious support and remarks blossom each spring into a new chapter.

Central to our storyline are volunteers. Their efforts to plant public spaces make it possible for the greater community to enjoy attractive and inviting places. When our story is told through the volunteers’ perspective, what unfolds is a remarkable account of the significance Kalamazoo in Bloom holds not just for our communities but for each individual. Read their words summarized into one anecdote.

I was always impressed by how beautiful all of the public gardens were. I just wanted to be a part of the process and help. The number of diverse volunteers coming together is amazing—the young, the old, experienced, and newbies—all planting thousands of small plants. I volunteer with my young children to instill in them the importance of volunteering. I experience a sense of accomplishment, community pride, and a great deal of satisfaction in being a part of the group getting dirty and tired but getting the job done for our wonderful community. I also enjoy working with people I have just met and exchanging stories. Working hard with amazing people to produce a great gift for our community helps me feel a part of my community. Even as one person, I am making a difference in a city I love.

There is nothing better than seeing a completed bed with fresh mulch and newly planted flowers arranged in a pleasing design where once it had been barren ground. People do appreciate the work of ordinary citizens helping to create something beautiful to make our community stand out. Gratification comes as I see the gardens come to life and for being a part of something that makes people smile all summer long. This is a worthwhile project, and you are really needed.

As a donor, you author Kalamazoo in Bloom’s story. Your support nurtures us as characters in this narrative and brings our strengths to life. Please invest in Kalamazoo in Bloom so we can continue to share our story through flowers with a community you love.

To creating the next beautiful chapter with you,
Monika Trahe               Allan Joseph Medwick
Executive Director              Board President

P.S. Special thanks to volunteers whose comments on a recent survey provided inspiration for this appeal.

We invite you to click on the boxes below to donate and to register on SignUpGenius as a volunteer on planting days, as a bed adopter who tends to a flower bed all summer, and to attend one or more of our spring open houses, especially helpful for new volunteers: