Avon Ohio Garden Club

The club was founded in 1995 by Gretchen Shimola and consisted of five members who gathered to discuss gardening problems and successes. The club met 10 times that year and held its first plant sale in May of 1996. They went on tours, invited speakers, and held a holiday party. As the club grew, they continued this format and formalized their mission – “to promote knowledge and enthusiasm for gardening and acknowledge the responsibility for stewardship of the earth and all its natural resources.”

In 2006, the club became an official nonprofit organization under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

In furtherance of its mission, the club participates in many activities:

Maintains a garden at Miller Nature Preserve
Awards scholarships
Holds fundraisers for the scholarship program
Participates in service projects for the City of Avon and the community
Tours gardens
Publishes a quarterly newsletter
Sponsors monthly education programs from well-versed speakers before each meeting
Holds an annual spring plant sale
Holds Beautification Awards every other year to recognize exceptional gardens