By now, most of our 172 GCSC Federated Garden Clubs have opened a new club year with a meeting or other gathering. The fresh energy of reunion post-COVID is contagious and I have heard much from many of you that tells me that the momentum is not only growing, but promises to make this one the best club years ever! Honoring someone as a GCSC Garden Hero is a great way to nourish that momentum and I would love to see every club in our beautiful state identify and honor a worthy candidate this year.

As many of you know, we have expanded the candidate pool to include a wide variety of individuals, who may not be garden club members, but in their own unique way, are indeed GCSC Garden Heroes!

In September of 2021, GCSC President Linda Howle and I spoke about the GCSC Garden Hero Campaign. Linda remembered an old hymn, "I Sing a Song of the Saints of God”, written in 1929 by Lesbia Scott. Using a little liberty with the lyrics, it goes like this:

"I sing a song of the saints of God, patient and brave and true,                               

who toiled and fought and lived and died

for the Lord they loved and knew.

And one was a doctor, and one was a queen,

and one was a gardener on the green."

For many of us, gardening is a way of life, a way to create something beautiful, or simply an avenue to reconnect with what matters most. As you think of your love of gardening, consider for a moment, the people who introduced you to gardening. These people spread the joy of gardening. They fuel curiosity, cultivate interest and seed confidence in new gardeners. Some of them bring gardening as a first-time experience to some and frequently lay the foundation for the next generation of gardeners.

GCSC Garden Heroes can be family members, even loved ones who have passed can be honored. Perhaps it was a parent or grandparent, or a favorite aunt or uncle who shared their love and skills with you when you were a child. They can be members of garden clubs that share their passion with their communities, providing gardening experiences, outreach programs, or education to schools, seniors or other groups. Some clubs might consider selecting a dedicated or “most valuable” member each year as a tradition, or as a gift to a retiring president. School teachers, scout troop leaders childcare providers, and perhaps a good neighbor whose beautifully maintained garden always stands out can be heroes! You may know someone who goes out of their way every year to divide plants and bulbs, carefully take cuttings from a favorite plant and then share these treasures with others.
A GCSC Garden Hero is someone who values the environment and works to protect our planet and her resources; someone who embraces the value of environmental and gardening education for youth or adults. Other candidates are the members of our communities who are quiet stewards. They may be the people who care for and maintain the landscapes of your civic centers or public parks, the gardeners that maintain our school and church campuses, or even in their graceful and quiet way, the individual or floral committee that provides or arranges the flowers for services at your church. 

On May 25th, 2021, the GCSC Finance Committee voted for the GCSC Garden Heroes Campaign to be a permanent GCSC fundraiser. Recognizing our GCSC Heroes rewards special individuals and nourishes their passion. As they support the next generation of gardeners, they also support potential future garden club members, helping us grow! In addition, your financial support of the campaign supports their legacy through garden training resources and educational outreach across South Carolina. Nominations can be made by a club, by a group or by an individual.