16th annual Downers Grove Garden Walk benefits Bridge Communities

The 16th annual Downers Grove Garden Walk on Saturday, July 9, is a fundraiser benefiting the Bridge Board of the First United Methodist Church of Downers Grove. The church is a program partner with Bridge Communities, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.

Tickets for the walk entitle participants to a lovely day viewing beautiful gardens in the village of Downers Grove while helping to support previously homeless families. The gardens will be open from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

One of the gardens is a certified Wildlife Habitat including a small stream that attracts many songbirds and a circular pond for the owners' pet ducks.

Another garden features perennials, bulbs, native plants, clematis on trellises, and bushes with a minimum of grass. This garden highlights easy care, little or no watering or mowing, and mulch everywhere to defeat the weeds.

Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 on the day of the event and may be purchased in person at Community Bank of Downers Grove, 1111 Warren Ave. and Anderson's Book Store, 5112 Main St. in Downers Grove; Phillips Flowers & Gifts, 528 N. Cass Ave. in Westmont; or the Growing Place, 25 Plank Road in Naperville.

Tickets may be purchased online at DGFUMC.ORG/Gardenwalk or at these locations while supplies last.

Ticket purchases can also be made at the individual gardens and the church parking lot, 1032 Maple Ave., the day of the garden walk.

The garden walk is the church's main fundraiser for the Bridge Communities with 100% of the proceeds from the Garden Walk going to support the work of the Bridge Board.

Bridge Communities focus is to transform the lives of homeless DuPage County families by guiding them to a better future including providing housing, mentoring, direction, hope, encouragement, and a stable environment in which families can become self-sufficient and sustain their independence.

The cost to support each family is around $12,000 to $14,000 annually. Each family is mentored for 2 years making our involvement a large and very exciting outreach in which the church is happy to be involved.

Recent years have added a spring concert highlighting the musical talents of our congregation, videos of which can be viewed on the church's YouTube channel.

Go to DGFUMC.ORG/Gardenwalk for information about the beautiful gardens and a sneak preview.