Just over a year ago the Punta Gorda Garden Club, working
with Charlotte County Habitat for Humanity Association, decided to present a
“Little Gem Magnolia” tree, to each new homeowner at the dedication ceremony of
their home.
They recognized that the money they allocated for each
project would go farther if they partnered with a garden store enabling them to
purchase the trees at their wholesale cost.
Home Depot agreed to participate with this project, enabling the club to
add to their homeowner’s gift. Since, many new homeowners did not own garden
tools, a shovel became part of the package.
Now at dedications each homeowner is presented with:
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A tree, a shovel with a beautiful ribbon on it
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A certificate of welcome that states the tree is
from the Punta Gorda Garden Club and the Punta Gorda Home Depot
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A fact sheet on the planting and care of the
tree.
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The publicity chairman of the garden club writes about the
dedication and sends that information along with a picture to local
newspapers. Every dedication has
appeared in the local papers providing great publicity for the Punta Gorda
Garden Club club, Habitat for Humanity and Home Depot.
Carol Behling, Human Resources Manager for our local Home
Depot in Punta Gorda, was present at a recent dedication. She invited Denise
Watts, Human Resource Manager for the Home Depot in Cape
Coral, who was so impressed that she inquired about getting a
similar program started in Cape Coral.
We appreciate the opportunity to tell our story and hopes it
encourages other clubs.
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