2017 FLOWER POWER A SUCCESS!
 Photo by by Gerry Case of
Broomfield Rotary  Arvada Rotary President Bryan Head
receiving a check from Executive Directorof Garden & Home Show, Jim Fricke. Photo by Nancy Nichols |
The Arvada Rotary Club completed it's annual fundraiser at the Colorado Garden & Home Show in the week of February 4th through the 12th. Each year the club sells the tickets at the box office for walk up customers to the G & HS. All of the money collected for tickets and booths for the show is distributed in grant money for education in gardening, horticulture and agriculture. For example, there are students now attending CSU on full scholarships from the Colorado Garden Foundation.
When the Arvada Club started this fundraiser 22 years ago, one of the Rotarians noticed that at the end of the show, flowers were being thrown away. Through the graces of the Executive Director of the show, Jim Fricke, the Club was able to keep the flowers and take them to nursing and assisted living homes for those who were not able to attend the show. Over the years, many other Rotary clubs joined in and "Flower Power" was born!
This year 23 clubs participated in Flower Power and 6,400 flowers were distributed to assisted living homes, nursing homes and orphanages in the Denver Metro Area and Castle Rock, Parker and Boulder. At the close of the show on Sunday night, February 12th, two Boy Scout troops from Arvada, a girl's lacrosse team from Cherry Creek High School and many Rotarians helped take the flowers from the gardens and box them up to load on two semi-trailers. On Monday, Feb. 13th, the Rotary clubs come to Mile High Stadium and pick up their allotted number of flowers. It is always a treat to see the smiles on those receiving the flowers!
Thanks to all who participated this year. All of the Rotary clubs involved did a terrific job and made a difference in many lives.
Let me know if you have any questions and thanks! Dan Hershberger 303-506-8332
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