October 15, 2015
There were smiles all-around when Landscape Ontario and the Golden Horseshoe Chapter handed Hamilton Victory Gardens (HVG) $3,000 on Sept. 1.

Jeff Smith, President of the Golden Horseshoe Chapter, Tony DiGiovanni, LO Executive Director, and Dave Braun, LO President, gathered in Hamilton to present a giant cheque to HVG founder Bill Wilcox and his wife Judy, and Amy Angelo, Operations Manager of HVG.

“We are very honored to receive this donation,” said Bill Wilcox. “It affirms the hard work that our volunteers continue to do throughout the season at our garden sites. Without contributions like the one from Landscape Ontario and the Golden Horseshoe Chapter, we would not be able to continue providing fresh produce to local food banks within the Hamilton area.”

The Chapter contributed $1,500 from its coffers, and $1,500 came from LO Home Office. Chapter coordinator Lee Rozon said many Golden Horseshoe Chapter members volunteer their time and resources to HGV. “It’s a great project,” said Rozon.

“The generous donation from the Golden Horseshoe Chapter is going to help us purchase a selection of tools and equipment that are needed at various HVG garden sites throughout the city,” said Angelo. “These tools will supply volunteers with the equipment they need to properly assist in planting, maintaining, and harvesting the fresh produce grown in HVG garden sites.”

LO Board president Dave Braun told those gathered, “The Victory Garden provides such a great service to Hamilton. It fits with LO’s mission to promote and foster a favourable climate for the advancement of the horticulture industry in Ontario.”

Other LO members in attendance at the presentation were Millgrove Perennials and Gelderman Landscape Services. Both donate services and material to HVG.

HVG estimated, as of Sept. 1, it had harvested over 10,020 kilograms of produce from all garden sites.  The charitable organization was established in 2011. Local volunteers take part in the ‘work bees’ and help to plant, maintain, and harvest the produce. The harvested produce is then distributed to local food banks and meal programs like Living Rock, St. Matthew’s House and Dream Centre. The garden sites also provide educational opportunities for youth.