Giving Back

Community Service

Our hands in the soil, our hearts in the community.

Planting & Growing Civic Beautification Pollinator Habitat Conservation

In the Field

Our Projects

Wilmington VA Medical Center · 2014-2026

Blue Star Memorial Marker, VA Medical Center Wreath Ceremonies

GGGC installed the Blue Star Memorial Marker at the Wilmington VA Medical Center in 2014. Dedication was on Veterans’ Day, Nov. 10, that year. The site continues to be maintained with plantings. Each Memorial Day and Veterans’ Day, GGGC members gather, along with hospital residents and staff, to celebrate in the hospital’s Community Room. This way more veterans, especially those in wheelchairs, can attend the ceremony. A marker is displayed and a wreath is presented.

Chaired by Chris Metzler

Goodstay Gardens, Wilmington · 2025-2026

Goodstay Gardens’ Peony Garden Renovation

This project marks a new opportunity for Garden Gate to continue its support of Goodstay Gardens — one of Wilmington’s best-kept secrets. The focus for 2025-2026 will be on enhancing the peony garden. GGGC will assist with Goodstay’s plans to replace several of the aging tree peonies along the Main Walk and to create a new display featuring Itoh (intersectional) peonies. To support this effort, Garden Gate has allocated $1,000. In addition, the club will coordinate with Goodstay to schedule a visit for club members to enjoy the peony garden at its peak bloom.

Chaired by Jane Hollingsworth

Veterans’ Hospital, Wilmington · 2025-2026

Renovation of the Blue Star Marker Garden at the Veterans’ Hospital

This is the President’s Project to honor the memory of Barbara Noseworthy who chaired GGGC’s Blue Star Marker Project from its inception in 2014. GGGC has long been unable to routinely work in that garden area due to the red-tape involved with doing work on government property. However, there has been some indication that may change. We are hopeful that we can proceed with the necessary clean-up and new plantings.

Chaired by Kelly Koontz

Delaware Museum of Nature & Science · 2012-2026

DE Museum of Nature and Science Bobbee Vernon Memorial Garden

In 2012, the club installed a small garden in front of the Delaware Museum of Nature & Science in memory of longtime museum member and two-time GGGC President, Bobbee Vernon. It is designed to be of interest to visitors and touchable to children; to enhance the space; to be low maintenance; and to support the purpose of the museum. Delaware stone and petrified wood are placed among the plantings. Four garden club members provide maintenance for this garden.

Chaired by Eda Ross Montgomery

Various locations, Delaware · 2018-2026

GGGC Recycles

This club activity promotes recycling as a civic duty and an environmental responsibility. The club collects Styrofoam, light bulbs, and batteries, which are delivered to the Delaware Solid Waste Authority. GGGC members take #2, 4, 5 plastic to Eco Plastics Products of DE. The goal is to collect enough plastic to earn an ECOP bench that can be donated to a public garden. Members are kept informed on dates and locations for recycling electronic goods and household hazardous waste. This is a DFGC award-winning activity.

Chaired by Anne Aleman

Ronald McDonald House, Wilmington · 1991-2026

Ronald McDonald House

GGGC members gather at the Ronald McDonald House to prepare for the Christmas Season by decorating a tree with Noah’s Ark ornaments that members have made by hand. Occasionally some animals get injured or wander off, so they are repaired and replaced. Under the tree is a wooden ark with Noah, his family and the animals.

Chaired by Betsy Brown

Sojourners’ Place, Wilmington · 1994-2026

Sojourners’ Place

Sojourners’ Place is a case-managed, residential program that assists homeless men and women on their journey to self-sufficiency. All GGGC members collect and provide non-perishable food and personal items throughout the year.

Chaired by Eda Ross Montgomery

Riverside neighborhood, downtown Wilmington · 2023-2026

REACH Riverside Produce Donations

Part of NGC’s 2023-25 PLANT AMERICA — FEED AMERICA program designed to help fight food insecurity. GGGC continues to implement this program by donating food to the two community refrigerators operating in the Riverside neighborhood of downtown Wilmington. Fresh produce is collected at meetings and delivered to refrigerators in front of the Kingswood Community Senior Center and the REACH Riverside Warehouse for Teens.

Chaired by Laura Scanlan