MONDAYS AT THE CVG

HELLO FLOWER FRIENDS!

What a night to remember! Our Annual Signature Event: An Authentic Mexican Evening in the Garden took place on Sunday, August 10th, and my heart is still so full. Your generosity is amazing! You have done so much good for our CVG Community! Thank you!

The garden sparkled with lights, and as the first guests arrived, you could feel the excitement as the colorful papel picado waved and the sound of Spanish guitar music filled the air. Friends and supporters gathered with warm smiles, ready to enjoy an evening filled with food, music, and community.

A FIESTA TO REMEMBER

​We began the evening on the patio, where trays of appetizers floated by and the sound of live cultural music filled the air. Margaritas, wine, and sparkling non alcoholic drinks added to the festive mood. I loved seeing everyone chatting, laughing, and taking in the colors of the evening.

Dinner was served under the stars, and oh my, it was delicious! Plates of enchiladas Suizas con salsa verde filled with crab and shrimp, silky black beans, mango and jicama salad. The wines, carefully chosen by our sommelier Ali Rush of 15C, the fabulous wine shop and tapas bar you must visit!!, made the meal feel so special.

​​And just when we thought it couldn’t get any better, dessert was served by the homemade mango flan from a recipe created by a Mexican chef Linda knows in Mexico accompanied by sopapillas drizzled with honey from our very own dahlias. Sweet, warm, and unforgettable.

​THE IMPACT OF YOUR GENEROSITY

That evening was not just about fun, it was about making a difference. Together we raised over $5,000! We have several new donors who will be featured on our website so please visit them and enjoy their services! And thank you to Affinity Chiropractic for your generous donation.

These gifts will keep the Cancer Victory Garden blooming all year long. It means water for the plants, soil amendments, flower seeds, dahlia tubers, and organic care for the garden.
Every bloom that grows here is a gift of encouragement to someone in need, and you made that possible.

OUR MISSION CONTINUES

Even after the fiesta, our work continues. Each week we deliver arrangements to French Hospital, Dignity Infusion Center, the Gift Shop, and Grace Bible Church. Every vase carries love, hope, and joy to patients and families.
And of course, we are always welcoming new volunteers. Whether in the garden, arranging flowers, or helping with deliveries, there is a place for everyone.

We would like to Welcome our new Volunteers! 
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Vicki

Vicki is our newest volunteer and gifted floral designer. Vicki met us while we were volunteering at a Women’s Health Fair this year. She is a good student and even attends our Hearst Floral Arranging classes to hone up on her skills. Vicki lives in Arroyo Grande and is a dedicated weekly volunteer. She is a fast learner and has settled right into our weekly routine of choosing & filling vases, designing beautiful arrangements. Thanks for joining us VIcki! We are delighted to have you!

Judy is my neighbor of over 40 years and is a very dedicated floral arrangement delivery person along with her side-kick Carrie. Between the two of them they get all or arrangements delivered weekly to French, Hearst, & Dignity. It takes over an hour to make all deliveries weekly! 

Judy has a splendid fern garden which I raid weekly for ferns while her beloved doggie Buddy rats me out early in the morning as I tromp through her garden! 

Judy has improved her knowledge of floral names as she is the other half of our teaching team at Hearst. All I do is ask her to share the flowers with the ladies and she knows exactly what to do! Really, Judy is the magic that makes it all happen! The students come in preoccupied and leave smiling ear to ear like Cheshire cats beaming with pride over their gorgeous arrangements! Judy brings out the best in our students! Judy has a baby satellite dahlia garden that will produce many flowers for our patient arrangements next year! 
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She has lots of good ideas too on how to help the garden to function more efficiently and she is not afraid of hard work! In fact, Judy waters and oversees the garden while I am working or on vacation. She loves her Spanish Majolica pearl gifts of thanks too!

Maria is friends with Annie. I just love how our Survivor Volunteers invite others to join us in our mission giving each member a new purpose as we provide flowers free of charge for other cancer patients. Maria has quite a bit of experience as a designer and also loves to garden. She enjoys cutting garden flowers too! She hails from Grover Beach.

​We also continue our monthly floral arranging classes at Hearst Cancer Resource Center. It is amazing to see how, in just one class, people walk in carrying the weight of treatment and leave smiling, holding a bouquet they created with their own hands. To reserve a spot, call 805.542.6234.k

COME VISIT US!

If you come by the garden on a Monday morning, you’ll see a hive of activity. Volunteers working side by side, flowers blooming, laughter in the air, it’s truly beautiful.
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So if your heart is nudging you to join us, give me a call or text at 805.440.3064. There is always room for more flower friends.

With love and gratitude,

 Linda Ward 💕
 Survivor and Gardener
 Who knew the CVH would bring beauty from ashes!