Garden Club of Long Beach Island Recognized for Community ServiceGarden Club of Long Beach Island Recognized for Community Service The Garden Club of Long Beach Island has been honored with five awards for its exceptional community service in 2023. These awards recognize the club’s dedication to enhancing the environment and inspiring the next generation of gardeners. Outstanding Projects and Programs * The club’s Holiday Tour of Homes has earned a Garden Club of New Jersey award for an outstanding project or program. This annual fundraiser involves the participation of every club member and raises significant funds for the community. Youth Gardening * The Youth Garden Club, led by Jeannette Michelson and Ginny Scarlatelli, has been awarded the Violet M. Bennett Environmental Trophy for outstanding youth programming. The program fosters children’s appreciation for gardening, environmental stewardship, and the importance of native plant species. National Recognition * The Garden Club of Long Beach Island has been named the “Overall Winner” of the National Garden Club Standard Flower Show Award by the Central Atlantic Region of State Garden Clubs. The club’s show, “It’s a Musical World,” will be showcased at the LBI Foundation of the Arts and Sciences in May 2023. Communication Excellence * Janice Stonaker has won first place in the Central Atlantic Region of State Garden Club’s Yearbook Award division. The award recognizes the club’s yearbook, which provides members with a comprehensive resource and encourages participation. * The club’s social media presence has also been acknowledged with a certificate of appreciation from the National Garden Club. President Diane Macrides has been commended for the creativity and daily maintenance of the club’s website, Facebook, and Instagram pages. These awards are a testament to the Garden Club of Long Beach Island’s unwavering commitment to enriching the community through its programs and initiatives. The club’s efforts inspire the next generation of gardeners, promote environmental stewardship, and enhance the beauty of the island.
PROUD AWARD WINNERS: The award recipients are (left to right) Lois Perry, club president; Diane Macrides, website/social media chair; and Barbara Duff, awards chair.
The Garden Club of Long Beach Island recently received five awards for its community service in 2023: two from the Garden Club of New Jersey, two more from the Central Atlantic Region of State Garden Clubs, and another award from the National Garden Club.
The Holiday Tour of Homes received a Garden Club of New Jersey award for an outstanding project or program.
“This recognition of the Garden Club for LBI’s largest fundraiser is very special because every club member participates,” said Gillian Rozicer, the club’s publicity director. “Bev Reitinger chaired the event.”
The Youth Garden Club, chaired by Jeannette Michelson and Ginny Scarlatelli, received the Violet M. Bennett Environmental Trophy for outstanding youth programming. The program provides children with a fun after-school activity that teaches them basic gardening and floral design skills, as well as the role of planting native species in maintaining the local ecosystem.
In addition to these state awards, the club was named “Overall Winner” for the “National Garden Club Standard Flower Show Award” by the Central Atlantic Region of State Garden Clubs. The show, titled “It’s a Musical World,” will be held at the LBI Foundation of the Arts and Sciences in May 2023. Co-chairs Julie Eller and Cindy McGrath were congratulated for the Standard Flower Show qualifying at the regional level.
Janice Stonaker also took first place in the Central Atlantic Region of State Garden Club’s Yearbook Award division. The yearbook, which was provided to every Garden Club of LBI member, was cited as an easy-to-use resource that “inspires attendance and participation.”
The National Garden Club presented the group with a certificate of appreciation in the Social Media/Website division. President Diane Macrides received the award for her creativity and daily maintenance of the club’s website, Facebook and Instagram pages.
“It’s great to be recognized for all that we do in the community,” said Rozicer. —EE
