Cantigny visitors choose favorite 'CAREcrow'

Posted November 11, 2021 10:00 pm

Submitted by Cantigny Park

Jeannie Iseman, executive director for GardenWorks, accepts the donation check from Scott Witte, director of horticulture for Cantigny Park in Wheaton. Courtesy of Cantigny

The "CAREcrow" display by The Gardenworks Project received the most votes in public balloting at Cantigny Park's annual fall event.

By winning the popular vote, the organization earns an additional $1,000 grant from the Robert R. McCormick Foundation for a total of $2,000. Three other participating local charities each received $1,000.

GardenWorks Project, based in West Chicago, promotes food growing through home and community gardens to improve the community's well-being, environment, and those facing food insecurity. "Everyone deserves fresh produce" is the nonprofit's motto. Jeannie Iseman, executive director for GardenWorks, accepted the check from Scott Witte, director of horticulture for Cantigny Park.

This was the first year for CAREcrows, a program in which nonprofits invited by Cantigny Horticulture created fall-themed educational exhibits on the grounds. Park visitors could vote for their favorite display throughout October and make optional cash donations.

Participating organizations (in addition to GardenWorks) were:

• Loaves & Fishes Community Services in Naperville, providing food and leadership in the community by uniting and mobilizing resources to empower people to be self-sufficient.

• The Resiliency Institute in Naperville, using permaculture education, growing food security projects, and community engagement to build resilient communities.

• SCARCE in Addison, educating and mobilizing the community around recycling and other environmental issues, showing how to make a meaningful difference for our kids, environment, and future.

The four CAREcrow creators were chosen for their commitments to environmental issues and sustainability, alleviating hunger, and building self-sufficiency in our communities. Cantigny is aligned with their goals and proud to support them.

Cantigny Park in Wheaton is open daily from 9 a.m. to sunset, with free parking on the first Wednesday of the month. More information and a full calendar of events are online at Cantigny.org.

The GardenWorks Project "Carecrow" shows how the nonprofit works with community gardeners to grow fresh produce for households facing hunger. Courtesy of Cantigny

CAREcrow creators each receive a $1,000 grant from the Robert R. McCormick Foundation. Courtesy of Cantigny

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