Gardener's Christmas raises more than $5,000

Garden club volunteers Colleen Quick and Joe Meeks sell plants at the Gardener's Christmas Saturday in the Tri-Valley Service Center's vocational area. Quick and Meeks were two of 11-12 volunteers helping with the fundraiser. (Ruth Campbell/Tribune)

The greenhouse program Tri-Valley Developmental Services not only provides flowers and produce sold in Fort Scott, but helps agency clients acquire skills.

On Saturday, Tri-Valley held its biennial Gardener's Christmas -- offering a variety of plants and silent auction items -- at its service center in the Fort Scott Industrial Park to raise funds for the program. About 300 people attended and Tri-Valley Director of Public Relations and Grants Anna Methvin said $5,553.95 was taken in.

Funds go toward utilities and water to keep the greenhouse program going and allows Tri-Valley to keep full-time horticultural therapist, Barbara McCord, on board.

Tri-Valley Executive Director Tim Cunningham stands in the greenhouse on the grounds of the Tri-Valley Developmental Services complex at Fort Scott Industrial Park. The greenhouse teaches clients hand-eye coordination, nuturing and helps them learn how things work.(Ruth Campbell/Tribune)

Plants are sold to wholesale to local businesses and churches, Methvin said.

McCord has been the horticultural therapist since fall 2004 and is a member of the Fort Scott garden club, which gives of its time for the sale.

"It was a great success," McCord said, thanking the community, the 11-12 volunteers, those who donated items and participants. "It was everything that I'd hoped for."

Agency Executive Director Tim Cunningham said about 40 people with disabilities use the greenhouse, which has raised flower beds, cement walkways and interior floors to make it more accessible to clients in wheelchairs. Outside, tomatoes, cucumbers, squash, green beans and watermelon are grown, he said.

Methvin added when clients work at a greenhouse, they are paid.

"It's fantastic for clients," Cunningham said, noting it gives clients a chance to get outside during the spring and summer. "It teaches them hand-eye coordination skills; it teaches them how to how to grow plants and flowers; and it teaches them how things work."

Judy Wallis, also a garden club member, is a master gardener. She purchased mostly annuals including coleus, perilla magilla and herbs. "I love plants," she said. "... I wouldn't miss this."

Betty Johnson and her husband, Dale, are also garden club members and friends of McCord and her husband, David. She was perusing silent auction items in what usually serves as the conference area. "We've done this for four or five years. There are bargains and it's nice stuff," she said.

Susan Krakow, a friend of McCord's, came from Kansas City for the sale. "I think it's wonderful. I'm very proud of her. She's done a fabulous job and she's got a great passion for it," Krakow said.

Also during the event a bake sale was held to raise money for the Open Hand Friends Self-Advocacy Group from Tri-Valley to attend the Self Advocate Coalition of Kansas' annual conference in Topeka, set for April 1-3. The conference is a chance for participants meet with state legislators to discuss issues affecting people with developmental disabilities.

Case Management Director Michelle Rosenberg said about 17 people are in the Open Hands group and nine members, plus two staffers, will travel north. Dee Cullins is the other adviser.

Tri-Valley Developmental Services serves close to 200 developmentally disabled people in Allen, Bourbon, Neosho and Woodson counties. Included in that figure are about 60 people in Bourbon County.