June 05, 2023

Kimberley plant sales raise $8,300 for community

BY SOUTHGREY.CA STAFF — Brian and Bo Penny, longtime supporters of the Centre Grey Health Services Foundation recently organized two plant sale events this year raising over $8,300 for their communities. The first sale was held on Saturday, May 27.

"Last year we organized our first Plant Sale for Markdale Hospital fundraiser which was so successful that we decided to make it an annual event," said Bo. "Our goal for this year was to raise enough money to purchase six IV posts and supports (around $3,000) but we raised $6,272.75 — exceeding our goal and expectations."

She attributed much of their success to the number of people who donated plants and even more importantly, their time and energy. "We couldn't have done it without their help, she explained. "Lyn and Jim Ronald are always our biggest supporters. Our other helpers were Kimberley Fisher, Rosemary Morton, and Dorothee Potter."

According to Ms. Penny, many others have donated plants, pots and knick-knacks, including Ina Hanson, Anastasia Sparling, Lila and John Fodor, Kate Esplen, Julie Tyndal, Denise Hall, Andrew McKesson, Dale Beare and Annesley Church, Barb Sheridan, and Markdale & District's Horticultural Society - Elli Pennings and Liz McConachie.

The event boasted over 1,300 potted plants (a majority of which came from the Penny's own gardens in Kimberley. The planning for this event began last Fall when they started splitting their perennials, herbs, berries, shrubs and ornamental grasses.

The couple worked diligently for many months collecting the pots and planters, buying the soil and peat moss, planting the seeds and tending to vegetable seedlings and tropical house plants. "This was not a simple task since we don’t have a greenhouse and for quite a few months our house was taken over by the plants," said Bo. "Besides our volunteers and donors, we are very grateful to our community that supported us in such a great way, by spreading the word and coming to the event in such great numbers.

As successful as the event was, a fair number of plants remained unsold and a second plant sale took place on Saturday, June 3. Proceeds from the second sale were donated to the Kimberley branch of the Grey Highlands Public Libraries and raised $2,100 for the library. The event also received a generous gift of plants from Pine Valley Greenhouse, a new garden centre near Flesherton.

"We hope to make this a tradition, so we’re already planning for the next year. The hospital fundraiser will be on the last Saturday in May, 2024 followed by the fundraiser for the library on the first Saturday in June, 2024," said Bo. "We’re excited to watch our plant sale grow as every dollar will go directly to providing superior healthcare to our residents and visitors as well as supporting our local library in serving our community."

 

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