Seagrove Garden Club finds success with virtual fundraisers
Special to Gannett
SANTA ROSA BEACH — Like all local social and charity groups, members of the Seagrove Garden Club were challenged in new ways in 2020 by the spread of the coronavirus.
Garden club activity came to an abrupt halt in March, with meetings canceled and weekly delivery of small floral arrangements stopped as assisted-living, rehab and nursing home facilities in Santa Rosa Beach closed their doors.
About mid-year, it became clear that COVID-19 restrictions would also force cancellation of the group's biggest annual fundraiser, Gifting and Giving, normally held in early December. The festive luncheon event, with silent and live auctions, helped the club raise more than $16,000 in 2019, enough to assist 20 local families along with several community organizations.
"The need is much greater because of the virus," said Mary Lamb, chairman of the Christmas charity committee. In addition to families that are still coping with the aftermath of Hurricane Michael, "a lot of families are now living on one income. Many times, they are moving from place to place and have difficulty finding a permanent place to live."
Two "virtual" projects helped the group raise a record $18,800 to bring cheer to local families in need this holiday season.
"The Christmas charities fundraiser has historically been a high-energy luncheon with live and silent auctions," Lamb said. Even though the event was virtual in 2020 "and primarily donation based, we hope to serve even more families."
Club members were already working hard to compile 300 recipes for the club's first cookbook when the pandemic hit, and "Coastal Flavors and Flowers: A Seagrove Garden Club Cookbook" was published. Cookbook sales raised $5,100.
To replace the December charity luncheon, members were asked to donate money not spent on 2020 monthly luncheons to the fund for holiday gifts cards for the needy.
Members of the club's Flower Shuttle program — who typically make hundreds of small flower arrangements for seniors — added a fun option to increase donations. Centerpieces, designed by member Cora Brettel for the canceled December luncheon, were instead used as prizes in a virtual raffle event held in early December. Flower Shuttle members created holiday-themed centerpieces with gathered tree branches, magnolia leaves, pine cones and tiny white lights. The centerpiece raffle helped boost December donations to $13,700.
Overall, Seagrove Garden Club raised a record amount despite the pandemic, a good thing since the virus outbreak has increased the number of local families who are struggling financially.
The club was able to help 36 families, including 51 adults and 86 children in Okaloosa, Walton and Bay counties, Lamb said. The group also funded prescription co-pay cards for 100 patients of the Point Washington Medical Clinic; donated gift cards for five special needs adults at ARC of Walton County; and made monetary donations to help ongoing programs at Girls Inc. of Bay County and BeGenerous Inc., a local non-profit that assists women overcoming drug addiction and sex trafficking conditions.
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