ATLANTA, June 28, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- Atlanta Botanical Garden Executive Director, Mary Pat Matheson, announced today that the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta (FHLBank Atlanta) has agreed to be the presenting sponsor for the Garden of Eden Ball. This annual fund raiser is traditionally held in late September. Matheson explained, "The money raised at the Garden of Eden Ball supports many aspects of the Atlanta Botanical Garden, including important botanical research, education and conservation projects."
"Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta's three-year pledge to support the Atlanta Botanical Garden's conservation and education efforts reflects the Bank's strong commitment to community involvement," said FHLBank Atlanta President and CEO Raymond Christman. "Whether through volunteerism or financial donations, the Bank and its employees always look for opportunities to positively affect the Atlanta community, and the Garden of Eden Ball sponsorship is a key element of this support."
The 2005 Garden of Eden Ball, themed "The Magic of the Maze," will be held on Saturday, September 24, and is chaired by Stephanie and Bill Reeves. Honorary Chairs are Anna and Hays Mershon. To receive an invitation, please contact Atlanta Botanical Garden Manager of Individual Support, Laura Martin, at 404-591-1536.
About Atlanta Botanical Garden
The Atlanta Botanical Garden is an urban, non-profit garden located just three miles from the city center in midtown Atlanta. Because of its proximity to downtown, the Garden is well-situated and hosts a wide variety of public and private events. It occupies 30 acres adjacent to Piedmont Park, the most heavily used public park in the city. The Garden encompasses 15 acres of old growth woods and 15 acres of well-respected cultivated gardens. Included among these gardens are two acres for the Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Children's Garden (1999), along with the Dorothy Chapman Fuqua Conservatory (1989), the Fuqua Orchid Center (2002), Gardenhouse, the administrative center (1985), and Exhibit Hall (2003). The Garden was organized by a grassroots group of citizens in the mid-1970s without benefit of financial bequest nor estate grounds, and is privately funded under the leadership of the Board of Trustees and the Executive Director, Mary Pat Matheson. Responsiveness to the surrounding community has always been its touchstone. The mission of the Atlanta Botanical Garden is to develop and maintain plant collections for display, education, research, conservation and enjoyment.
About FHLBank Atlanta
Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta is a $134 billion financial services organization that provides low-cost financing, community development grants, and other banking services to almost 1,200 financial institutions in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia and the District of Columbia. FHLBank Atlanta is one of 12 district banks in the Federal Home Loan Bank System, which since 1990 has contributed nearly $2 billion to affordable housing development in the U.S.