How You’re Helping Us Grow
Whether you're a volunteer, a donor, or a supporter, your involvement this year has made Allan Gardens shine! Read on to see how you've helped us grow our impact in 2023, and please consider donating to help us do more in 2024.
More Family Programs
Our family drop-in programs are larger than ever. This year, we’ve expanded our signature events like pumpkin carving, and holiday crafts to be across two days, increasing our reach. This past weekend’s holiday crafts event saw the participation of 300 people, including hundreds of local children. As we look to 2024, we hope to keep up the success and create more seasonally-themed family drop-in programs. Click here for information on our upcoming programs.
More Art, Beauty, and Connections
This year, we initiated a project to install the sculptural bike racks (pictured above) in Allan Gardens. Raylah Moonias, a Two-Spirit Annishinabee artist is the lead designer. Through this project, we hope to increase the visibility of Indigenous artists and cultures in the landscape.
We’re also creating skills development and low-barrier employment opportunities for former encampment residents. Two members of the fabrication team at BikeArts used to live in tents in Allan Gardens. Both are now living in permanent housing, and both wish to give back to their community. With your support in 2023, the fabrication team has created Raylah's bike racks! We’re now looking to raise $6,000 to install these beautiful sculptures in the park. A donation from you will help us cross the finish line. Special thanks to Dixon Hall and Carrot Common for kicking in financial support for this project!
More Staff
In 2023, the Friends of Allan Gardens staff team doubled when Charles and Tiana joined the fold. Since joining, both have amplified our programs and outreach! Charles has been leading greenhouse plant care and Medicine Garden volunteer shifts, allowing us to propagate desirable plants for our sales, and to harvest ceremonial plants to share with Indigenous organizations. Tiana has grown our social media presence to new audiences, increasing the participation at all of our events. In 2024, we hope to further invest in our staff team to grow our impact yet again. Your support – especially in the form of recurring donations – helps us to find the stability to expand. The bigger the staff team, the more we can do together!
Care for a Historic Landmark
The Palm House is the park’s oldest glasshouse. It is a beacon of community, and a historic landmark in our city. The 113-year old Palm House was getting tired and needed love. Thanks to an investment from the City of Toronto, the Palm House is being restored! The Friends of Allan Gardens have a role to play in the restoration too. We are fundraising to support the interior fittings and the programmatic activation so that the building may continue to be a verdant place of gathering and celebration. We’re working with local politicians, and the philanthropic community to fundraise for this initiative, but we simply cannot do this work without your grassroots support. Your continued engagement and generosity are paramount as we race towards the fall 2024 reopening!
This was a stellar year, and with your continued support and involvement, 2024 will be even brighter! Please consider donating to the Friends of Allan Gardens so that we may continue to invest in the life and vitality of this wonderful community.
Wishing you warmth and kindness this holiday season,
The Friends of Allan Gardens
www.friendsofallangardens.ca
Please note: All donations will receive a charitable tax credit from the Veritas Foundation.