Giving

Top Reasons to Support growth in the Gardens!

  • Nature buffers the impact of life’s stresses on children and helps them deal with adversity.  The greater amount of nature exposure, the greater the benefits (Wells and Evans 2003)
  • The creation of a safe, secure natural environment for free, unstructured play will promote a sense of well being in children and adults alike.
  • Our goal is to include the entire county in our project-- all schools, parochial, private and public; all service groups; all businesses, both large and small; and all ages of children—whether from eight months old to eighty years young. This project is all about family, and is a way that we can help to combat some of the increased crime in our communities. By giving opportunities—both for funding and volunteering-- to all area residents, we will be granting ownership of this project to all of the people, regardless of income, education or race.
  • Play in a diverse natural environment reduces or eliminates bullying (Malone and Trantor 2003)
  • Gardens representing our diverse cultures offer opportunities for mutual understanding
  • Bookworm Gardens is totally free to the public.  Our goal is for children to visit frequently, finding their favorite special spots for quiet reflection, reading, and exploring.
  • The Education Committee of Bookworm Gardens is currently developing curriculum for classes and programs for school groups with the focus on creating and supporting an interest in reading, literacy, horticulture, environmental issues, and cultural development.  Various classroom spaces are planned along with a small amphitheatre.
  • Investment in Bookworm Gardens is a once in a lifetime chance to support an opportunity at the ground level that the community has never seen before—one  that will affect children each and every time they visit the garden.
  • An important book by Richard Louv , The Last Child in the Woods; Saving Our Children from Nature Deficit Disorder brings together a body of research substantiating the premise that the absence of nature is directly linked to current trends of attention disorders, depression and obesity. This research indicates that “exposure to nature is essential for healthy childhood development and for the physical and emotional health of children and adults.”

How You Can Help

Seed Money

In the plant world, seed is necessary to initiate growth.  The needs of Bookworm Gardens are no different. Seed money is needed to sow the plans of the garden, insuring that the necessary design plans are completed.

A place of honor in the garden is designated to recognize those who demonstrate early belief in the vision of Bookworm gardens.

Bricks

Engraved bricks of 2 different sizes are available for sale, and will be used in several different areas of the garden.  Engraved bricks make wonderful gifts, and are a special way to pay tribute to someone special, or recognize a group or organization. 

Cost: 

  • 4 x 8 brick  $250
  • 8 x 8 brick   $500

Leaves and Apples

Engraved leaves and apples are available to hang on the Giving Tree, a sculpture that will “grow” as donations are made.  The Giving Tree will be located at the front entrance to the garden.

  • Cost:  Leaf: $500
  • Apple: $1000

Book Sponsorship

Sponsoring a book garden is the most exciting and committed level of support for the garden. Sponsorships are available for each of the books included in the garden, and prices are based on installation cost, location, artistic features and maintenance costs.  Sponsorship levels begin at $5000.  Check the Books for current availability of book gardens. Sponsorship recognition for each book garden will be prominent in each area.

About Your Gift

  • Donations are payable over three years
  • 25% of book sponsorship will be place in an endowment to provide for the upkeep of the garden
  • All donations are tax deductible
  • If you are over age 70.5, special tax incentives are available.  Individuals may transfer up to $100,000 this year, and up to another $100,000 during 2007 directly from an IRA to a charitable organization.  These charitable distributions count toward Minimum Required Distributions.
  • These ‘rollover’ charitable distributions will not be subject to income tax, and they may be made in addition to any other charitable giving you may have planned.

Volunteer Time

Bookworm Gardens is a county wide project, involving folks from eight months old to eighty years young.  If you would like to get involved, please contact us.

We need folks who’d like to

  • Plant, weed and maintain the garden
  • Read to children in the garden
  • Help build benches
  • Join a committee (Education, Art, etc.)

Host a Presentation

Would you be willing to host a presentation about this wonderful project? We are spreading the word by word of mouth, meeting with school groups, churches, individuals, companies, book clubs, etc.  NO group is too small! Our goal is to involve ALL of Sheboygan County and southeastern Wisconsin in this project, regardless of age, race or income.  Become a part of a project that will change our children forever!