Scholarship and Civic Seed Money Program

Scholarship

Two projects dear to our hearts in the Grapevine Garden Club — one begun years ago, the other just last year.

The Grapevine Garden Club began to give scholarships to financially assist and encourage students enrolled in the study of horticulture or other related fields. The earliest record of a scholarship given by the club was in 1967-1970 when a yearly $100 scholarship was awarded to a student at Northwest Campus of Tarrant County Junior College. Next mention was in 1985 when the club president began a scholarship program for a Grapevine High School student. Eventually a committee was set up to award scholarships annually to a graduating high school senior residing in Grapevine or attending Grapevine – Colleyville ISD high school or to a full time college student who resides in Grapevine, Texas and is currently enrolled in any college offering horticulture related studies. The committee created criteria for the scholarship recipient including the purpose and the amount: $1,000 to be paid directly to the student’s college. An application form was created for use by the high school counselor.

Through the early years, the club struggled to fund the scholarship account. The ways and means of raising money for scholarships have been varied and interesting. Beginning in 1984 with the $1.00 tickets for the opportunity to own a fully decorated Christmas tree, many projects and activities have been carried out to provide scholarship money for deserving students. We have sold Easter lilies and many other kinds of plants. At times, the plants were sold by individual members, and at other times a plant sale would be held in a central location open to the public. We have conducted holiday home tours, as well as spring and fall tours of beautiful and interesting gardens. There have been sales of members’ craft work, including beautifully decorated wreaths, baskets, bird houses and clay work. One member’s son-in-law did a lovely ink rendering of Grapevine Torian cabin, which decorated note cards to be sold by the Club. All of these have evolved into basically one large fund-raising project for the year, which is a gigantic plant sale in April planned, carried out, and supported by nearly every member of the Club. We are now able to award as many as two $2000 scholarships per semester if qualified applicants are found.

If you and someone you know would like to apply for a scholarship from the club, download the GGC's Scholarship Application here. Then contact scholarship@grapevinegardenclub.com for more information.

Civic Seed Money Program

(Awarded 1st place in 2010-2011 by Texas Garden Club, Inc. for State and District II.)

The Grapevine Garden Club’s mission is to promote interest in flowers and gardens and horticultural and floral design, along with the protection and conservation of wild flowers; shrubs and trees; protection of birds; city and highway beautification; environmental concerns; and education of children in all these objectives. Therefore, the club offers money to non-profit organizations for materials or supplies for Grapevine Community Beautification projects. Any group wanting to apply for the funds should consider these questions:

• Would you describe your organization or group as civic, non-profit, or Grapevine-Colleyville Independent School-based?
• Is your project based in Grapevine or at the GCISD properties?
• Can your project meet the intent of the GGC mission statement above?

If your group meets the above qualifications and could use up to $200 of seed money to further your objective, please see the guidelines and criteria as outlined in the GGC Civic Seed Money Program Application, available to download here. Contact civic@grapevinegardenclub.com for more information.

Recent Civic Seed Money Awards

Award to Grapevine Middle School

Chaired by science teacher Douglas Eason, this award provided startup materials as students begin clearing land for a new nature trail adjacent to the school.

Award to Timberline Elementary School

Chaired by Carissa Styles, PTA garden club chair, this award provided funds for planting soil to be used in two new vegetable beds and soil for a butterfly garden.

Award to GRACE Community Garden

This donation funded supplies for the garden so that it continues to provide vegetables and herbs for local families, children, and seniors.

Award to Faith Christian School in Grapevine for books

Jennifer Mitchell, school librarian, requested funds for books to research the migration of the Monarch butterfly. Jennifer plans to bring her students to visit the Butterfly Garden at the Grapevine Botanical Gardens to inspire them to create their own butterfly garden at home or school.

Jennifer Mitchell, librarian at Faith Christian School in Grapevine, showing students butterfly books purchased with GGC seed money.

Award to Heritage Elementary School in Grapevine for Outdoor Learning Center

Chaired by Master Gardener Jackie Peel, the Center benefits 40 students in grades 2 through 5 and is maintained on behalf of the students, faculty, staff and local community. Tarrant County Master Gardeners grow food crops and ornamental plants. Student keeps journals and also benefit from guest speakers discussing garden related topics such as insects, attracting birds, compost, and crafting with gourds. The money will be used to purchase a new wheelbarrow, chemicals to fight nut sedge, seeds, starter plants, and craft materials.

Award to Cross Timbers Middle School in Grapevine for Operation iGrow

Chaired by Cross Timbers teacher Terie Wied, this project inspired 53 gifted and talented students to increase the nutritional needs of local disadvantaged children. The students worked as car-hops at a local drive-in and contribute their tips along with the funds raised at a fashion show to build a greenhouse and plant a vegetable garden. They hosted cooking classes to show other children how to prepare fruits and vegetables in a healthful diet. These efforts along with others won them a unanimous vote by judges at the international Future Problem Solvers Competition in Wisconsin. The civic seed money award helps the students complete their new greenhouse.