Mission & History

Mission

Wilmington Garden Day is an annual event that raises funds to be distributed to agencies offering programs that benefit underserved children in Delaware.

History

Wilmington Garden Day is a New Castle County tradition, celebrating its 63nd year. The first tour, started by a small group of women, took place in 1947 following World War II and featured several beautiful flower gardens that had taken the place of the Victory Gardens needed during the War. WGD blossoms on the first Saturday in May to benefit agencies in Delaware with programs that serve children in need.

In 2008, as a preview to the Saturday tour, the Garden Day Committee created An Evening in the Garden. This elegant party takes place on the Thursday evening prior to Garden Day and is hosted at a spectacular country estate. Over 200 volunteers come together to showcase this legendary Wilmington community event.

Beneficiaries

Wilmington Garden Day, Inc. is a non-profit organization that raises funds to address needs of underserved children in Delaware. Currently, Wilmington Garden Day donates a portion of its annual proceeds to Friendship House, Inc. and St. Michael's School and Nursery.

Friendship House, Inc. was founded in 1987 and serves as a sanctuary and stepping stone for the homeless men, women and children of New Castle County. It currently operates one emergency shelter and nine halfway houses, hosting sixty-five homeless individuals and families on any given night. Its three daytime centers for men and women serve more than 200 homeless clients daily. Its clothing ministry, The Clothing Bank of Delaware, distributes more than 12,000 pounds of quality used clothing monthly through its network of more than 3,000 distribution centers.

Funds from WGD are distributed to Patterson House which offers transitional housing to homeless women and children for 90-180 days and long-term transitional housing for those who have demonstrated a high commitment to programs such as employment training, financial responsibility and life skills training for the mothers as they resume visitation and custody of their children.

St. Michael's School and Nursery is Delaware's oldest child care program; it is also one of the nation's 20 oldest child care programs. St. Michael's School and Nursery, founded in 1890, began as a safe haven for the children of immigrant workers struggling to earn a living in Wilmington's tanneries and factories.

In the early 20th Century its mission expanded to encompass both an orphanage and a children's hospital. By 1908, when St. Michael's established a kindergarten, more formal learning had become an integral part of its mission. Through the decades, St. Michael's program has evolved to meet the changing needs of the community it serves, while remaining steadfast in its belief that children learn best and flourish in a secure, loving and nurturing environment.

Today, St. Michael's cares year-round for 120 children, ages six weeks through kindergarten. Alumni and older siblings of current students (up to third graders) are welcomed back to St. Michael's for summer camp and a special child care program offered on days when their schools are closed during the academic year. Over 60 percent of all St. Michael's families receive financial aid through the tuition assistance program, funded by individual contributions and foundation and corporate grants.

Board of Directors

Executive Committee Members	At Large Members
Michele M. Cross (General Chairman) Dana DiSabatino Kimberly Martin Gessner (Secretary) Virginia B. Gordon (Vice President) Dorothy K. Newlin Tom Scott (Treasurer)	William A. Bizjak Beverly A.W. Bizjak Heather Brown Chrissy Donahue Tracy Lea-Dorsey Paula Glover Mary D. Ingham Carolyn M. Karney John B. Morton, Jr. Mary Ball Morton Carol Shackleton Karen Williams Joan Yulduzian

Committee Chairpersons

Chairperson	Committee
Dana DiSabatino Kimberly Martin Gessner Dorothy K. Newlin Amy P. O'Neill Amy Poole Kelley K. Short	Communications & Mailings Sponsorships An Evening in the Garden Database Management Volunteers Marketing/PR/Advertising