ST. LOUIS, May 11, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- If a stroll around your neighborhood this summer reveals gardens with a pinker-than-usual palette -- and maybe even a pink birdhouse -- don't be surprised. There's a good chance that you're simply witnessing one aspect of the new Plant It Pink project, developed by the 200,000-member National Garden Clubs Inc. in partnership with Susan G. Komen for the Cure(r), the world's largest breast cancer organization. In fact, behind every NGC Plant It Pink garden is a multi-faceted initiative designed to raise funds and awareness in support of Komen for the Cure's promise to save lives and end breast cancer forever.
"As the largest volunteer organization of its type in the world, National Garden Clubs can be a powerful voice for positive action," says Barbara D. May, president, National Garden Clubs Inc. "The Plant It Pink initiative is an outgrowth of our commitment to community service, which historically includes everything from conservation and beautification to therapeutic horticulture. With Plant It Pink, we effectively blend fundraising, education and a love of growing things -- not only for their beauty, but to support healing in several ways."
The Plant It Pink program has several components. To encourage participation among NGC members as well as the general public, the organization has set up a system for accepting donations via mail, Web site (www.gardenclub.org) or phone (314-776-7574). Donors receive complimentary packets of pink dianthus flower seeds and educational materials on breast cancer provided by Komen. As a special thank-you, the seeds, donated by W. Atlee Burpee & Co., are enclosed in a suitable-for-framing card designed and donated by noted St. Louis artist Linda Solovic.
In addition, noted garden designer and author Jon Carloftis has designed a custom ceramic birdhouse with Louisville Stoneware Co. especially for the Plant It Pink program. For every birdhouse sold, Louisville Stoneware will donate 10 percent of the selling price to Susan G. Komen for the Cure and five percent to NGC garden therapy programs that introduce horticultural therapy into various health care settings. The birdhouse retails for $65 and can be purchased at www.louisvillestoneware.com or www.joncarloftis.com.
A not-for-profit organization with 6,300 member clubs across the U.S., National Garden Clubs Inc. offers extensive educational programs and a variety of resources to promote gardening and environmental responsibility. NGC is headquartered in St. Louis, adjacent to the world-famous Missouri Botanical Garden.
Susan G. Komen for the Cure (www.komen.org) is the world's largest source of nonprofit funds dedicated to the fight against breast cancer with more than $1.3 billion invested to date.