MONDAYS AT THE CVG

HELLO FLOWER FRIENDS!
I hope this finds you well and enjoying Summer! Our Cáncer Victory Garden Opening Day was Monday, May 19th, 2025! We are all very excited and we are now creating arrangements for French Hospital Gift Shop so we can reach even more patients! We are spreading the love 💕and the flowers are blooming! Come by the CVG any Monday or Friday for a visit!
 
We had a great turnout for the Annual Planting Party, Saturday, March 8th and planted up the entire garden with plants and seeds. Everyone worked really hard and left no dirt with a hole ready to plant! It was wonderful! After planting we enjoyed a nice lunch of sandwiches and lemonade! Thanks to everyone who came and helped! You are the best volunteers!

​With much anticipation we have begun our monthly flower arranging classes at Hearst Cancer Resource Center. I think it is a true testament to flowers when we teach this class to survivors and patients currently in treatment. The room where we make our arrangements smells so good with all the flowers filling the room. The ladies enter the room with oftimes somber faces, preoccupied with treatment and doctor visits and sit quietly. During class we see a true transformation as the ladies begin to leave their cares behind and focus on the beautiful flowers we have grown in the garden. When they leave we always take a group picture because they are so proud of their arrangements and are smiling like Cheshire cats! It is truly beautiful!

We are very excited to welcome NEW FLORAL ARRANGERS & GARDENERS to our CVG TEAM this year! Without them we couldn’t deliver 524 vases of flowers like we did last year!!!
PUT FOTO HERE MIGUEL FREAKING AWESOME TEAM!
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Jacqueline, whom I met in the detergent aisle as I was shopping at Target. LOL I suggested that we might have something in common - no hair. She smiled and said she had just come from treatment. Turns out she is a really wonderful floral arranger! We are grateful we have become part of her journey.

​Maureen has lived all over the world as she was a nurse working in Spain, Germany, Panama and more! She came to the Wellness Fair supported by Adventist Health. She is a wonderful gardner and planted today some thingsI had wanted to do but had no time. She is an Angel! And a Survivor!

​Leah is a volunteer at French Hospital, and the Hearst Cancer Resource Center, who has the most hours!!! Over 100 hours! She has a wonderful smile and her look is always artful! She is a wonderful flower arranger and bow tier! Leah is a cheerful Survivor!

​Heather is joining us again from last year. She is a very artful designer and I never say, “More flowers” to her because she always has just the right amount in her artful arrangements! She is a champion and a Survivor!

​Annie is one of our returning arrangers who even brought a new friend with her! Annie has a beautiful heart and is a strong Survivor. She has written a book for people going through cancer to boost their prayer life. She is amazing and a true inspiration to me!

​Judith is on her third year with the CVG and is an incredible nurse volunteer who is very dedicated to providing encouraging arrangements for our local cancer patients. She has also been of special help in organizing our fundraiser providing ideas and help! She is marvelous!

​Judy is Mr neighbor who lost her husband to cancer two years ago and has truly found a place to volunteer that has real meaning to her. She is our delivery person. This year she brings along an assistant, Carrie with her! Thank you Carrie, she is a medical assistant so she fits right in! Judy attends the Wellness Fair but Adventist Hospital. She does an especially great job at connecting with cancer patients and shares the Mission of the CVG! Oh, and she has begun a satélite CVG growing ferns and Dahlias for the second year! Fabulous!

​Dana is on her second year of dedicated gardening and volunteering! She is a fabulous floral arranger and her arrangements are loved and appreciated by many. Dana’s dedication is phenomenal and she is a fabulous gardener herself. We love having her because she is incredibly positive and brings lots of laughter to our group. She has been of essential importance in supporting me as a garden organizer and fundraiser supporter! Her teacher skills come in super handy!

​Arlene is a newbie this year although she has great garden instincts and skills. I’m over the moon she has joined us because as the garden grows annually it needs more support! She is a wonderful new addition and we are pleased she has joined us!

Before I sign off here I want to be certain that you have received your invitation to our Annual Cáncer Victory Garden Signature Event- A Mexican Evening in the garden which will be particularly fun and exciting! Be sure to but your ticket immediately as space is limited. (Click here to get your tickets)
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We will have live cultural entertainment, Margaritas with and with out alcohol accompanied by homemade Mexican foods!

To give you extra motivation we are having a small Silent Auction! We will have photo cards of the gorgeous CVG, a luxurious facial treatment with a premier doctor, colorful Mexican decorations and clothing, wine packages and more!!! All at super reasonable prices! You’ll love our donors' offerings!

I look forward to seeing everyone Sunday, August 10, 5:00pm. Bring a shawl or jacket. We will have outdoor heaters and a beautiful outdoor fireplace to keep you warm! Come and be part of our movement to spread love and joy through flower arrangements to our local cancer patients. Help us to continue to provide flowers at no charge to patients. We appreciate our generous donors who also want to make a difference in the lives of local patients. 

Love 💕 
Linda Ward
Survivor and gardener!
Who knew it would bring beauty from ashes!