OFA – The Association of Horticulture Professionals and Ball Horticultural Company have made early-year commitments to be lead sponsors of the America in Bloom program in 2013.
“OFA is committed to supporting the horticulture industry,” said OFA CEO Michael V. Geary, CAE. “America in Bloom is connecting people to plants, gardening, and landscaping at the grassroots level. It is important to us – and it should be important to ALL businesses in horticulture – to support AIB’s mission to plant pride in America,” stated Geary.
“We have given to America in Bloom from the beginning,” said Anna Ball, CEO of Ball Horticultural Company. “We believe in the program because we’ve seen what it can do for a community. Yes, AIB only works one city at a time, but we’ve seen the horticultural businesses serving those communities realize increased sales when AIB becomes engrained in the social structure of that city, its businesses, and its residents. It is a win-win for everybody that participates, and we wish the entire industry would support the program, both monetarily and by getting cities involved,” stated Ball.
“We would like to thank the many companies that have stepped up to the plate as sponsors of America in Bloom,” said Dr. Charlie Hall, vice president of the board of directors, and co-chair of the fundraising committee. “AIB is focused on introducing the benefits of urban beautification to cities and towns and their residents. In the process, it not only helps to bring cities together to create real communities, but it also helps to grow the industry by engaging more folks to become avid gardeners,” stated Hall.
Hall urged all companies to support America in Bloom. “Now is the time to join your colleagues in support AIB so that we can showcase the health and economic benefits of flowers, plants, and trees. It’s still early in our annual fundraising efforts, but we are pleased that Ball Horticultural Company and OFA made early commitments to be at the highest level of giving – the Platinum Elite level,” said Hall.
America in Bloom Executive Director Laura Kunkle said that many companies have made financial contributions to the organization this year. “Though still very early in the year’s annual fundraising efforts, nearly 20 companies have already made contributions to the organization, so we are well on our way to meeting our goal. There are various levels of support available to ensure that all companies – large and small – can participate and unite to grow the industry,” said Kunkle.
To learn more about America in Bloom and sponsorship opportunities available, please visit www.AmericaInBloom.org.
America in Bloom is a non-profit 501c3 corporation whose mission is to promote nationwide beautification through education and community involvement by encouraging the use of flowers, plants, trees, and other environmental and lifestyle enhancements. To date, nearly 200 towns and cities from 38 states have participated in the program and more than 20 million people have been touched by it.
Source: America in Bloom