The Register-Herald, Beckley, West Virginia

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  • Briarcliff Garden Club members pose in front of the Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine where they will be planting flowers this spring. From left, Brinda Caperton. Melanie Eckley, Lori Vargo, Mendy Harvey, and Beth Radford. F

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March 20, 2010

Garden club sets up endowment

BAF fund designed for public projects

The Register-Herald

The members of Briarcliff Garden Club have donated their time, skills and treasury to implement projects that beautified our community for many years. They have now created a permanent endowment at the Beckley Area Foundation.

The club has utilized the Foundation’s “Building over Time” option to contribute a minimum of $10,000 within a five-year period. They are only $800 short of reaching their goal.

The Briarcliff Garden Club Civic Beautification Fund will generate income year after year to support projects enjoyed by local citizens and visitors alike. This fund is a gift to our community, the second such endowment established by an area garden club.

Briarcliff is responsible for the plantings in the triangle at the corner of South Fayette Street and Eisenhower Drive.

The club’s largest annual project is the upkeep and beautification of the Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine and the surrounding Coal Camp. They plant “old-fashioned” period flowers at the camp every spring, always striving to keep the plant selections as authentic as possible.

Past projects have included purchasing trees to be planted in various locations such as the YMCA soccer fields and area school grounds. A beautiful bench, tree and garden were established at Maxwell Hill Elementary School in memory of club member Lisa Songer, who lost her battle with cancer. A garden of peace was placed at the Cancer Center on Dry Hill Road, providing a place for patients and their families to relax.

This garden club has also provided funds for students to attend summer camp programs dealing with conservation.

Members attend monthly meetings with programs on various gardening-related topics. They raise money with their annual holiday bazaar and live auction. They are active in regional flower shows and send representatives to the West Virginia State Garden Club shows and meetings.

Current officers are Beth Radford, president; Courtney McGinnis, vice president; Pat Lostetter, recording secretary; Susan Childress, corresponding secretary; Carolyn Capelli, treasurer; Jennifer Monroe, historian; and Cathy Fourney, parliamentarian.

“As civic beautification is one of the fields of interest expressed in the Beckley Area Foundation mission statement, we are particularly pleased that the members of Briarcliff Garden Club have established a permanent source of income supporting such projects,” commented Jay Word, president of the BAF board.

“This is a noteworthy example of local volunteers working to ensure that their mission is fulfilled not only today, but in the future.”

As is the case with all funds at the Beckley Area Foundation, anyone may make donations in any amount to this endowment. Checks should be made payable to BAF-Briarcliff Garden Club Fund and mailed to BAF, 129 Main St. Suite 203, Beckley, WV 25801.

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