Campaign Newsletter October 2014
“With just over $10.45 million raised in our $12 million Preserve the Legacy, Steward the Future Campaign, we have reached both an exciting and critical stage. Now is the time for our Members and Friends to help us by making a financial commitment. Gifts of all sizes are needed and essential for this Campaign to succeed.” David Price, President, Bok Tower Gardens
Making History in Polk County . . . Again Breaking Ground October 24 In 1922, there was just a large sandhill, longleaf pines, a shovel, and Edward Bok’s vision. In 1994, our Board of Directors broke ground to build the current Visitor Center. And on Friday, October 24, 2014, hundreds will gather to make history again at Bok Tower Gardens. Gifts received to date for the Campaign are fueling the start of Phase I capital projects this fall – pathwork, Tower and Gardens restoration, and several new garden spaces. To celebrate, we will hold a Groundbreaking Ceremony on Friday, October 24 at 11 a.m. behind the Visitor Center. Admission to the Gardens for the ceremony is free to the public between 8 - 11 a.m. Groundbreaking will be followed by docent tours to the sites of the kitchen garden, children’s garden, pollinator garden, and wild garden. Refreshments will be served in the Visitor Center where guests can learn more about the projects and watch a new orientation film about the transformation taking place. Be part of history by participating with a gift, and plan to attend this landmark event!
Let us know you’re attending! Sign our virtual guestbook at boktowergardens.org/groundbreaking
Edward Bok breaking ground on Friday January 21, 1927
LET’S ALL DIG IN! Help us meet the GiveWell Community Foundation Challenge
A few weeks ago, we received exciting news from an anonymous donor within the GiveWell Community Foundation – a challenge gift of $250,000 to support the new children’s garden. This challenge comes from a new donor to Bok Tower Gardens who was inspired by our vision of building both new garden spaces and a broader base of donors for the future.
The challenge is now out to the community and to you, our members, to match their gift with your own in any amount to help us get to our $3.5 million fundraising goal for the children’s garden by next spring. With groundbreaking scheduled for October 24, now is the time when every gift counts. The challenge is on, so please give and give generously in the coming months to help us meet the challenge.
From Our
CAMPAIGN CO-CHAIRS We’re almost there! As fall approaches, the Preserve the Legacy, Steward the Future Campaign is in its final stretches of reaching the goal. We are humbled and honored by the tremendous community support we have received. This publication highlights several donors and partnerships that have provided momentum and inspiration over the past year. We look forward to the next issue, where we will share so many more wonderful stories of philanthropy from you, our Members and Friends! JF Bryan IV, Cindy Alexander, William G. Burns
This journey has taken us to the far reaches of the state and beyond to re-connect with Gardens friends, and to make new ones. For we are on a greater mission, one that goes deeper and further than building new garden spaces and restoring old ones. We are building a sustaining culture of philanthropy at Bok
Tower Gardens by broadening and deepening our relationships with donors. It all started with one gift by Edward Bok. Today, our collective gifts have the power to transform the landscape, both literally and figuratively. In addition to outright gifts and pledges, we are starting to see increased interest in endowment giving – gifts to honor others that also support the core programs of the Gardens. The possibilities here are endless, as are the many ways that one can leave their legacy through an estate gift. Find your connection in these pages, and be a part of this exciting future for the Gardens with a gift to the Preserve the Legacy, Steward the Future Campaign.
Cindy Alexander, JF Bryan IV, William G. Burns Co-Chairs, Preserve the Legacy, Steward the Future Campaign
Take a
STROLL
Primary Path Takes Shape Work began this summer in the historic core garden as we resurfaced and graded the primary path around the Reflection Pond to improve accessibility. The asphalt-paved surface is a rich black when first applied, but over time will change to a deep brown color to blend with existing pathway coloration. This treatment will make the walk smoother for all, including guests with wheelchairs and strollers. Original Olmsted paths have stayed intact through this process, and secondary mulched paths remain for visitors to explore and enjoy. The Horticulture staff is also using this opportunity to refresh the plantings along these routes with greater plant diversity, color and texture.
recently opened sightlines to the brass door are made even more accessible with a path between moat and reflection pond
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DONOR
SPOTLIGHTS River Run Tells the Florida Story Publix Super Market Charities and Carol and Barney Barnett are bringing the Florida water
story to life in the new children’s garden with the lead gift for River Run. This area features 23 arcing jets of water, and numerous foggers and misters set amid rock work reminiscent of the limestone caverns found in north Florida. Ferns and mosses will line a rock ledge dipping down into the nearby hollow. Water conservation plays a large part of the design of River Run, with motion- and manually- activated features so that the children themselves can initiate the water play. “We are excited to partner with Bok Tower Gardens to build the new children’s garden,” says Kelly Williams-Puccio of Publix Super Market Charities. “This will be a great place for kids to connect with nature while having fun in a beautiful setting. We feel confident that these building projects and programs will attract many new visitors who will fall in love with the Gardens and return time and time again.” Their generous gift is a clear vote of confidence in the our vision and one we hope the community will join in supporting over the next few months.
WALKING on the Wild Side The Mosaic Company was one of our very first institutional partners in the Campaign.
Even before we completed the Master Plan, Mosaic donated enough crushed rock to surface the new 1.5-mile Preserve Trail which extended our nature trail system to the entrance gate. Then we announced we would be creating a wild garden focused on native plants and landscapes, and Mosaic stepped forward with a generous financial gift to support the project. But Mosaic didn’t stop there! As the pathway system took shape throughout the rest of the Gardens, Mosaic contributed 492 tons of finer grade rock to surface our secondary walks in the pollinator garden, kitchen garden, and along the Pine Ridge Trail. Callie Neslund, Public Affairs Manager for Mosaic, says, “This support is consistent with our own commitment to strengthening global food security and protecting critical natural resources. The Mosaic Company and The Mosaic Company Foundation make investments in and partner with best-of-class leaders in the focus areas of food, water and local community.”
REMEMBERING Granny Greenthumbs Jeanne Jahna had a way with plants. She loved gardening and took great pride in her rose garden. She was often called
Granny Greenthumbs by her young grandchildren. Although she passed away this June, Granny Greenthumbs will forever be remembered with a Campaign gift made this past December from the Jahna Foundation to establish the Fairy House Trail in the new children’s garden. This wooded area off the main path, marked with rune-like stones at each end of the trail, invites children to build forts, fairy houses, and anything else they can imagine with natural materials found nearby. A circular gathering space with reclaimed log benches will be used for storytelling or other daily programs, or simply for resting. The decision to honor Granny Greenthumbs in the children’s garden came naturally to Jeanne’s children, Jim, Becky, Gretchen and Emil. “She was thrilled this past Christmas when we gave her this gift. We are excited that the family is able to give something that will have a positive effect on the community, and something that will be long-lasting.” Our area of the world is a better place because of Jeanne Jahna.
PLANTING Seeds for the Future While they love to travel to exotic places, Frank and Carol Drake consider Bok Tower Gardens one of their favorite places in the world. Frank is a retired pathologist from Lakeland Regional Medical Center, and Carol is a part-time nurse practitioner caring for people with HIV. Charter members of the Gardens since 1985, the Drakes have been longtime Bok Tower Gardens supporters and champions. “We enjoy how peaceful the Gardens are and appreciate just how hard the staff works to preserve its natural beauty and simplicity. But we’re also excited about Bok Tower Gardens’ plans to address the future. And we love the idea of a children’s garden to connect young people with nature.” With five grandchildren ages 18 months to seven years, the Drakes have a vested interest in making the children’s garden a reality! Their generous Campaign gift to the children’s garden, combined with a charitable provision in their trust, will help the Gardens grow and thrive for future generations. boklegacy.org
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COME SEE WHAT’S our Incredible Edible Garden
Plans for the New Kitchen Garden and Lake|Flato-designed Outdoor Kitchen
Funds from the Preserve the Legacy, Steward the Future Campaign will add a new “flavor profile� to the Bok Tower Gardens experience. The outdoor kitchen and edible garden will be a celebration of fresh food, culinary programming, and a popular place for daytime and nighttime activities. Lake|Flato Architects of San Antonio has designed an inviting outdoor open kitchen space in harmony with the landscape. A gift from Danielle Fence & Outdoor Living is making possible in part a pizza oven, fire pit, grills, cooktops, and other kitchen appliances. A nearby indoor classroom and restroom building, also designed by Lake|Flato, complements the kitchen architecture. The kitchen garden will feature a fruit orchard, grape arbors, and raised beds for herbs and vegetables. When completed, this 0.6-acre area north of the Visitor Center (presently an undeveloped area) will be a lively hub of activity. Thanks also to a partnership with the University of Florida IFAS (Institute for Food & Agricultural Sciences) Extension, we will promote healthy eating in 11 counties throughout Central Florida by assisting schools in establishing and maintaining their own edible gardens.
Anatomy of a bog Campaign funds are transforming seven acres in our north garden into a haven for wildlife and native plants. The expanded wild garden, encompassing the existing Window by the Pond and the Endangered Plant Garden, will showcase a variety of Florida native plants and landscapes including an oak hammock, wet prairie, sandhill preserve, wetland and bog. The new bog will serve as a natural filtration system for the existing pond. Water-loving plants (including carnivorous plants like pitcher plants and sundrops) will absorb excess nutrients that otherwise contribute to algae growth. The pond will be made deeper, repaired, and replanted with a rich variety of Florida natives to attract birds and wildlife. A 170-foot boardwalk through the new wetland and bog area will provide visitors with an immersive experience into this new landscape.
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S GROWING Phase One of our Master Plan addresses the four most critical areas that impact our relevancy and sustainability as a public garden.
1 ACCESS the Gardens through improved paths and circulation
STEWARD the Gardens’ future by creating new spaces and programs
2 3
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boklegacy.org
TELL a richer story about the Gardens that resonates with visitors
REJUVENATE the historic core Gardens and Singing Tower
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WAYS TO GIVE
Take a seat New garden construction has opened up a multitude of options to honor someone with a commemorative chair, bench, or table & chair set. Before we offer these opportunities to the greater community, we would like to offer this to you, our Gardens family. With your qualifying Campaign gift paid in full, you can reserve your bench or chair to be installed in one of our new areas. However, inventory is limited, and we will honor reservations on a first-come, first-served basis. The photos below, unless otherwise indicated, are representations only of the final product. See the accompanying pledge form for details on reserving.
Wave Hill Chairs
rustic bench
lily bench
Benches Lily Bench - $5,000 each Children’s Garden 4 available in River Run and Backyard Ramble Pollinator Garden 3 available
The design of these chairs, created for The Gardens at Wave Hill (NY) are based on a chair designed by the acclaimed Dutch architect Gerrit Rietveld in 1918, now part of the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art. The wood is reclaimed wave hill chair locally-sourced mahogany provided by Steve Morrison, son of former Gardens President Ken Morrison.
Adult Chairs - $1,500 each Children’s Garden
10 available throughout Indigo Pass, Backyard Ramble, River Run and Stick Stack
reclaimed cypress, reclaimed log, and planed benches
Kitchen Garden
6 available around fire pit
Children’s Garden 23 available throughout the Fairy House Trail, Heart of the Hammock and Fence Swift Stumpery
Wild Garden
2 available at Window by the Pond area
Core Historic Garden
2 available at the south rain shelter
Rustic/Wooden Bench - $2,000 each
Table & Chair Set - $2,500 each Café Terrace
24 available in expanded Café seating area
Children’s Garden
6 available in Heart of the Hammock and Fence Swift Stumpery
Child Chairs - $1,000 each Children’s Garden
2 available in Stick Stack
Building a Legacy through
Endowment
Did you know that we spend $3,000 per year feeding and caring for birds and animals at Bok Tower Gardens? If you enjoy Window by the Pond, watching birds, feeding the koi, or getting a glimpse of our native gopher tortoises, then you know that our garden provides a welcoming habitat for creatures of all kinds. But did you also know that you can honor someone who shares this love of wildlife with an endowment gift to establish a Wildlife Fund in their name? This and many other giving opportunities exist in the Preserve the Legacy, Steward the Future Campaign. Our goal is to raise $1.5 million of endowment funding to help keep pace with the operational needs of our growing garden. Whether a fan of wildlife, our planted gardens, historic preservation, youth education, conservation or music, you can leave a lasting legacy by supporting these areas through endowment. The income generated from your endowment gift will ensure these programs will thrive. For more information about endowment fund gift options, please contact Joan Thomas, CFRE, Director of Development at 863.734.1213 or jthomas@boktower.org. 6
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Our Honor Roll
as of September 1, 2014
The Preserve the Legacy, Steward the Future Honor Roll is a special salute to our Campaign donors. We sincerely appreciate your commitment and generosity in support of the Gardens.
Visionaries Circle Gold
State of Florida Silver
William and Margaret Burns Mr. and Mrs. Paul Collins Bronze
Anonymous Donor within the GiveWell Community Foundation Mr. and Mrs. J.F. Bryan IV Ms. Ruth F. Conn Mr. and Mrs. François de Saint Phalle Mr. and Mrs. Frank E. Driscoll Mr. L. Patton Kline Marguerite and Gerry Lenfest
Mr. Henry McCance David M. Milton Charitable Trust The Abby and George O’Neill Family Publix Super Market Charities/ Carol and Barney Barnett Robert G. and Patricia K. Stokes Ting Tsung and Wei Fong Chao Foundation Jeanette and Richard D. Wood
Leaders Circle Gold
Robert and Eugenie Birch Prof. Derek and Dr. Sissela Bok Dr. and Mrs. Tomas J. Bok Clark Nikdel Powell Frank and Carol Drake Mr. and Mrs. William M. Friedrich
For assistance with pledges, gifts of securities, making a planned gift, or other gift options please contact Joan Thomas, CFRE, Director of Development at 863.734.1213 or jthomas@boktower.org. • Restricted and Unrestricted Gifts
Gifts of any size may be designated for a specific Campaign goal chosen by the donor. Gifts may also be made without restrictions. Unrestricted gifts provide flexibility to allocate the funds where they are most needed at the time. • Named Gifts
Make a gift in honor or memory of someone close to the Gardens, or associate your name with a major project, facility or endowment opportunity. Go to BokLegacy.org for current opportunities. Gifts of $10,000 and above
listed on permanent Campaign recognition signage. Gifts of $50,000 and above
lead donor recognition and naming opportunities. • Gifts of Cash
Gifts of cash are accepted. Pledges to the Campaign may be paid over a period of up to three years. • Planned Gifts and Bequests
Make a gift larger than you ever thought possible by gifting through your estate. If you are age 70 or over, a bequest to Bok Tower Gardens in your will or trust can count in the Campaign. Irrevocable gifts like charitable gift annuities, remainder or lead trusts, or life insurance for which Bok Tower Gardens is the owner and beneficiary, will also be counted in the Campaign. • Securities
Have stock that has greatly appreciated in value? Donate the shares to Bok Tower Gardens and avoid capital gains while receiving a tax deduction for the stock’s full market value. • Other Gifts
Gifts in-kind, if related to Phase I projects, will be credited to the Campaign at the appraised value. We also encourage matching gifts from current or former employers. boklegacy.org
G. Arnold Haynes Jahna Foundation Inc. Mr. Richard Littleton Mr. Julien L. McCall Mosaic Company Foundation Mr. and Mrs. A. Bronson Thayer Mr. and Mrs. Walter H. Trumbull Peter D. and Patricia A. Weber Silver
Anonymous A. Friend’s Foundation Mrs. Louise B. Adams Mr. and Mrs. J.D. Alexander Mr. G. T. Aydelotte Kim and Steve Bepler Mr. and Mrs. J. Shepard Bryan, Jr. Claudia Conn Ms. Catherine Cotter and Mr. John Finneran Mr. George Eichleay Mrs. William H. Gray Mr. Gordon Henderson Donald and Patricia Jones Heather L. and Clark Jordan-Holmes Mr. Clifford W. Mayhall Mr. and Mrs. George A. Needham Mr. and Mrs. Thomas P. Owen John and Mary Wight Bronze
Anonymous Michael and Dena Aloian Steve and Lynda Buck Pat and Nancy Cain Martha T. Edwards Mr. and Mrs. Frank M. Hunt II Sandy and Hugh Lowenstein Mr. Boris E. Meditch Mountain Lake Corporation Mr. and Mrs. John Oster David and Catherine Price Edward and Ann Probert Mr. Ronald D. Risner
Stewardship Circle Gold
Anonymous John R. and Sarah Jane Alexander The Martin Andersen-Gracia Andersen Foundation Nick and Lindsay Baker Ms. Jennifer P. Beam Mr. and Mrs. Howard M. Beckert Joe and Heather Bogdahn Elizabeth W. Brine Mr. and Mrs. Curtis F. Brockelman CapTrust Financial Advisors J. Davis and Barbara Connor Mr. Geert D’hollander Tom and Jo Ann Dryden Mr. Derek Dunn-Rankin Mr. and Mrs. Albert H. Elfner III Mr. John Germany Robin and Jean Gibson Mr. and Mrs. A.J. Hackl Mr. and Mrs. Dave Hodurski Mr. and Mrs. Clayton Hollis Jack and MaryLee Hollis The Estate of Theresa Hollowell Mr. and Mrs. Stewart W. Hurst Emil and Marilyn Jahna Steve and Robin Jolley Mr. and Mrs. Max E. Linton Christopher and Amy Lutton Ruth V. Marchione Foundation Paul R. Melichar Clem and Betz Newbold The Dick Pope, Jr. Family Ms. Marilyn P. Rinker Mr. and Mrs. Arthur M. Rogers Jr. Gwen and Joseph Seliga Mitchell V. Sheets Mr. and Mrs. W. Stevens Sheppard Mr. and Mrs. Edward L. Snyder Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Glenn P. Strehle Robert P. and Nancy J. Sullivan
Joan A. and John R. Thomas Rhonda K. and Steven W. Todd The Frances Updike Charitable Foundation Mr. and Mrs. Samuel D. Updike Mr. and Mrs. Richard S. Victor Andrea and Joshua Webb Mrs. Buffy Wilson Mary K. Windisch Silver
Anonymous Bob and Amy Barnhart Mr. Larry Blackwelder Stuart and Linda Boyd Mr. and Mrs. Lynn E. Burdeshaw Jim and Belva Carley Mr. and Mrs. Martin Corbin Paul and Kay Dawson Sandra Sue Dent Julie Diaz-Nichols John and Emily Earle Carol A. Engwall Ms. Christine Foley Orion W. Fraiser Mr. and Mrs. V. Kai Gibson Rita DiJoseph Horton Mr. and Mrs. Adam N. Justice Lanier Upshaw Inc. Mr. and Mrs. Hugh F. Leahy Mr. Clifford M. Manis Mr. and Mrs. Clinton G. Morrison Mr. and Mrs. Thomas E. Oakley Mr. and Mrs. Brian J. Ososky Cindy and George P. Price Edward P. Roberts, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Randall Rupert Thomas and Janet Seitz Joseph J. Seliga Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Sleisher Dick Stouffer Chip Thullbery Nat and Jane West Bronze
Anonymous Mrs. Lisa Allen Jim and Wanda Anderson John Anderson Stacey Bacon Ms. Victoria N. Bailey and Mr. Donald Fink Mr. and Mrs. Jeff and Joy Banks Jim and Susie Bell Autumn D. Beyer Jason Bleers Mr. Tom L. Boerger Carlos Borja Candy Bowman Mr. Larry Brake Mr. Bill Brewner Cynthia C. Campbell Mr. and Mrs. Bernard Cohen Mrs. I.W. Colburn Josh and Stacey Crum Ms. Patricia P. Dalglish Paul and Kay Dawson Mr. Joseph DiRienzo Jerry and Joyce Duncklee Jessica Dyal Neville Dyer Fiduciary Trust Company Joanne and Jerry Fischer Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth E. Flaglor Mr. Jon Foerster Scott Gabbard Mr. and Mrs. Jeremy Gamache Mr. and Mrs. Louis I. Grindol Joe and Tracy Hanus The Heckler Family Rachel Henderson Mike and Debra Howell
Campaign
Cabinet Co-Chairs Cindy Alexander J.F. Bryan IV William G. Burns Michael Aloian Tomas J. Bok Paul Collins Dorothy Chao Jenkins Patsy Stokes A. Bronson Thayer Richard D. Wood, Jr. David Price President Joan Thomas, CFRE Director of Development Rhonda Todd Special Projects Assistant
Cassie Jacoby Darrell Jones Mr. and Mrs. Richard Kaufman Shirley H. Keller Jim and Rose Kellerman Mrs. Don C. King Mr. Greg Kramer Ms. Susan H. Lee Paul and Carol Livezey Ms. Heidi Mandelin Mr. and Mrs. Frank Manning Donald McBeth Ginny McGrath Cassandra McLaughlin Connie Miller Ms. Shannan A. Miller Sylvia Mills Danielle Montero Jeff Myers The Noland Family Mr. Sean C. O’Leary Ted and Gwen Odle Marc and Sue Paetzold Natalie Palka Marcia Pennington Carmen Pineda Mr. and Mrs. Alan Portnoff Mr. Enrique Quintero Allen and Violet Remp Pirjo H. Restina Cory Reynolds Katrina Reynolds Bill Schaffer Swanny Seirup Gwen C. Seliga Mr. John Seymour James and Nicole Sharp Cheryl D. Sheplee Mr. and Mrs. Joseph E. Sichler III Nicole L. Stewart Mr. and Mrs. David E. Street Mr. and Mrs. Curtis I. Summers Ann Suter Ms. Stella Swanson Mrs. Hayley Taylor Bob and Liz Webber Dewey Wolford Katie Worthington Dr. Mamoru Yoshida Ms. Rose Young
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Learn More 1) Know Before You Go
boktowergardens.org/know
Our landscape is changing daily. Before you visit, check out our website for updates on the projects going on in the Gardens and what to expect when you arrive.
2) Dig Deeper
boklegacy.org
Make your gift online, explore ways to give and get Campaign updates, take a photo tour of the new children’s garden, and more. Our Stories Project is also on this site – take a moment to tell us your personal story about the Gardens, and upload a photo on our interactive timeline.
3) Garden Projects Walks & Talks
2nd Friday of each month at 10 a.m.
Gardens staff will provide an overview of our new construction and building projects. During these one-hour programs, get a behind-the-scenes look at the children’s garden, wild garden, outdoor kitchen and more. Sunscreen, bug spray and closed-toe shoes recommended. Tours meet at the Visitor Center. Included with admission.
4) Member Events Qualifying members attending Founder’s Room Tours and Tower Key Society events will enjoy a more in-depth look at our construction projects this coming year. The Greenhouse Tour is coming back too, so check your member benefits and make plans to come behind the scenes with us. Questions? Contact Christine Foley at 863.734.1233.
Preserve the Legacy, Steward the Future Campaign Newsletter is a publication of Bok Tower Gardens Joan Thomas, Editor Randall Rupert, Designer 1151 Tower Boulevard, Lake Wales Florida 33853 Phone 863.676.1408 Fax 863.676.6770 Online boktowergardens.org
Our Mission To share Edward Bok’s gift of a beautiful and serene garden with music, architecture and nature so that all who visit will be inspired by his vision: “Make you the world a bit better or more beautiful because you have lived in it.”
Reaching the Goal As of September 1, 2014
$12 million $10 million $8 million $6 million $4 million $2 million ChP/7.5M/0914
$10.4 million raised