2018 Annual Dinner Party
/For immediate release September 12, 2018
Ray Sander, President of Delaware Botanic Gardens (DBG) announced that the first Fund Raising Dinner Party held at the gardens on September 6 was a great success raising over $101,000. Sander said, “The key to this success continues to be the generous support of our Garden Champion friends, sponsors, business leaders, and volunteers. We are blessed with local business Champions, like Ronnie Burkle and Lisa Wheeler of SoDel Concepts; Ted Banks & Kami Banks Kane of Banks Wine & Spirits; Mark Carter of Dogfish Head Brewery; and Zack McCarthy of Coastal Tented Events.”
One of the key fundraising initiatives was a $50,000 challenge from Ron Bass and George Robbins, which was matched by our Garden Champions to reach the $100,000 goal that evening.
After a brief rain shower, the Bourbon Tasting tent, provided by Banks Wines & Spirits, was adorned by a rainbow.
Our dedicated volunteers and staff, led by Gregg Tepper, Director of Horticulture, and Carol McCloud, Docent and Volunteer Coordinator, persevered long hours in the heat and humidity to put the gardens and grounds in picture perfect condition for the Annual Dinner Party.
Sheryl Swed, DBG Executive Director, said, “The dinner celebrated the completion of the 2-acre Piet Oudolf Meadow Garden. It is the jewel in the crown of the Gardens designed by internationally known Dutch designer Piet Oudolf.” The Meadow Garden includes 70,000 herbaceous perennials and grasses. They were all “hand planted” by our volunteers.
The mission of the Gardens is to create an inspirational, educational, and sustainable public garden in Delaware for the benefit and enjoyment of all. The Delaware Botanic Gardens will celebrate the coastal plain with a sustainable garden that delights and educates visitors and inspires them to preserve Delmarva’s native landscape.
The 2018 Annual Dinner Party Tent
George Robbins, Ray Sander and Ron Bass - The $50,000 Challenge
All photos by Ray Bojarski