Hosta sale backdrop for Bolivian arts, crafts fundraiser in Woodstock
The Hosta Sale and Bolivian Arts & Crafts Fundraiser will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 23, at Rich's Foxwillow Pines Nursery Inc., 11618 McConnell Road, Woodstock.
All proceeds benefit Heifer International and Mano a Mano International Partners.
The event is sponsored by Rich Eyre and Susan Eyre. Two organizations that Rich's Foxwillow Pines Nursery and the Eyre family have supported are celebrating anniversaries this year. Heifer International marks its 70th year and Mano a Mano International Partners its 20th year. In conjunction with the garden event, the nursery will host speakers who will talk about their respective organizations.
There will be several hundred varieties of hostas for sale to benefit Heifer International. All hostas are $5 and up.
Heifer International is a nonprofit, humanitarian organization dedicated to ending world hunger and poverty and caring for the earth. It provides livestock, trees, training, and other resources to help struggling families build sustainable futures. The recipients of the animals must pass on the gift of the first female offspring and training in environmentally sound agriculture to another family in need. In this manner, an endless cycle of transformation is set in motion as recipients become equal partners in ending poverty and hunger. Heifer International has provided food and income producing animals to more than 8.5 million impoverished families in 125 countries in the last 70 years. For more information, visit heifer.org.
Rich Eyre worked with this organization in the Peace Corps 44 years ago in Bolivia and he can give testimony to its positive effects in those communities. Both Rich and Susan Eyre served 6 years on the board of trustees of the Heifer Foundation. Ed Slomski and Mike Kraus coordinate volunteers to help divide and sell the hostas. Volunteers will be available to answer any questions about Heifer International on the day of the sale.
Bolivian Arts & Crafts Fundraiser for Mano a Mano International Partners will raise money to build hospitals, schools, roads, and irrigation projects in rural Bolivia. There will be a variety of items for sale. Mano a Mano was founded by a fellow Peace Corps volunteer, Joan Velasquez and her husband Segundo. In 2008, she won the Sargent Shriver Award for Distinguished Humanitarian Service awarded to a returning Peace Corps volunteer. The Eyres want to help Mano a Mano build 100 hospitals in Bolivia.
From 10 a.m. to noon is the Hosta Leaf Identification. Tom Micheletti, former President of the American Hosta Society and Midwest Regional Hosta Society, and founder and first President of the Northern Illinois Hosta Society, will be available to identify hostas for people who bring the leaves of unknown hostas.
Norm Doll, chairman of Heifer Foundation, will give a presentation at noon.
At 12:30 p.m., Dan Narr of Mano a Mano International Partners will share the successes and challenges of 20 years of building hospitals, schools, roads, and reservoirs in rural Bolivia.
At 1 p.m., Tom Micheletti will do a short presentation about hostas.
From 1:30 to 3 p.m., a book signing with Brent Horvath of Intrinsic Perennial Gardens will be featured. "The Plant Lover's Guide to Sedums" highlights a beautiful group of drought tolerant plants.
Refreshments will be served. Sales are by cash or check only.
For more information, call (815) 338-7442, or email coniflora@richsfoxwillowpines.com.