Chair's Corner...

By Karen Haake, 

Past Executive Committee Chair  

Community awareness has always been a strong emphasis of FOTA. We are proud of the Arboretum and what it has to offer in the way of beautiful gardens, trails, horticulture and educational programs.
 
Through cooperation and partnership with groups such as Whole Foods, The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, PNC, and Sprint, our volunteers work in both the gardens and the greater Kansas City area community.
 
During the recent week-long dedication of the new tree sculpture by Roxy Paine at the Nelson Art Gallery, FOTA volunteers gave mini "Meet Mr. Tree" classes to children in attendance.

The Arboretum was pleased to return the favor, as Nelson volunteers assisted FOTA this past fall at Arts for Kids.
 
Arbor Day finds our volunteers at a number of different locations. We participate with Sprint, handing out information at one of the booths located on the main campus. We have also been at Whole Foods, answering questions about the Arboretum while bagging groceries. Whole Foods has also showcased a large photo exhibit of the Arboretum.
 
Later this month, FOTA volunteers will be found at the "Jazz in the Woods" children's tent. PNC, sponsor for the musical event at Corporate Woods, is also a major sponsor of Arts for Kids, held in early October at the Arboretum. The generous grant from PNC will fund participation for underprivileged youth in the area.
 
Later in the year volunteers will be at "Touch a Truck" at the OP Convention center and also at the Overland Park Fall Festival in September. Reaching out and being part of the community is something we do well. Awareness of the Arboretum continues to grow, thanks to our many volunteers and community partners.

"Adopt a Garden" is an Arboretum program for companies who offer their employees paid time off to use for volunteer activities with nonprofit organizations in the metro area. It is a wonderful team-building experience with results participants can immediately take pride in and enjoy. 

Midland Loan Services (4th year of participation)

CyDex Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (4th year of participation)

Family of Baby William Semrau  (3rd year of participation)

CIGNA (1st year of participation)

Companies choose their garden, and  tasks may include bed preparation, planting, mulching and weeding. They also select the times and days they will work. The program runs from mid-March through October each year and each work day is 3 to 4 hours. Employees are given volunteer shirts, name badges and gloves which are theirs to keep. We supply all the tools, buckets, instruction and team leaders. 

An engraved plaque, identifying the participating company, is placed in each selected garden and remains there for the entire year, as long as they remain in the program.   

For further information, contact Phyllis Merrick, Volunteer Coordinator, at 913-685-3604 or email:  Volunteercoordinator@opkansas.org 

FOTA Chair Teri Shields:

Terishields@aol.com

Volunteer Coordinator Phyllis Merrick:

VolunteerCoordinator@opkansas.org

FOTA Coordinator Suzie Swyden:

fotacoordinator@yahoo.com

Send photos and news to:

judy@springvalleynursery.com

This photo of the Arboretum's permanent sculpture "Summer at the Pond" was taken by photo committee member Karl Yehle back when it was anything but summer. It's a cool reminder that our sculpture collection can be enjoyed in all seasons. Brochures, available in the EEVC, outline this summer's temporary exhibit, sponsored by the city of Overland Park. Permanent collection brochures will be available soon.