December 8, 2020
Dear Friends of Untermyer Gardens,
The year 2020 will go down in the record books as one of the most challenging in decades. Yet amid many constraints, the Untermyer Gardens Conservancy has worked relentlessly to help the garden flourish. Our success is made possible by generous friends like you, who share our commitment to this very special place. Please consider a gift to our annual appeal if you can, and help us end the year on a positive note.
Though our operating budget was reduced by a third, and our team of gardeners frozen at six instead of eight, they maintained the garden at an exceptionally high standard and enhanced it greatly.
Our dedicated gardeners planted thousands of donated plants to complete the new 450-foot Rock and Stream Garden.
Dear Friends of Untermyer Gardens,
The year 2020 will go down in the record books as one of the most challenging in decades. Yet amid many constraints, the Untermyer Gardens Conservancy has worked relentlessly to help the garden flourish. Our success is made possible by generous friends like you, who share our commitment to this very special place. Please consider a gift to our annual appeal if you can, and help us end the year on a positive note.
Though our operating budget was reduced by a third, and our team of gardeners frozen at six instead of eight, they maintained the garden at an exceptionally high standard and enhanced it greatly.
Our dedicated gardeners planted thousands of donated plants to complete the new 450-foot Rock and Stream Garden.
We gave paid internships to seven Yonkers public high school students who worked alongside our gardeners to prepare the site of a new, 2,700-square-foot ornamental vegetable garden and orchard that will be tended by Yonkers youth in the future.
Prevented by COVID from delivering in-person education programs, we launched a new series of lively garden videos (collected here) starring our head gardener Timothy Tilghman.
We had planned three fund-raising galas this year, but all had to be canceled. Shifting gears, we pivoted to a virtual September Soirée, and thankfully we met our goal—a huge relief, as the Soirée accounts for 35% of our operating budget.
Our Annual Appeal is the final piece of our fiscal puzzle. Last year, we received more than 500 donations from grateful friends who appreciate that we are one of the only major public gardens in America that is free of charge to all.
These difficult times have revealed how essential our garden is to so many, and the outpouring of encouragement we have received has been inspiring. We are determined to remain resilient in the face of continuing hardship, and we ask you to support our work as generously as you can.
Stephen F. Byrns
President
Ann E. Carmel
Chair
Our Annual Appeal is the final piece of our fiscal puzzle. Last year, we received more than 500 donations from grateful friends who appreciate that we are one of the only major public gardens in America that is free of charge to all.
These difficult times have revealed how essential our garden is to so many, and the outpouring of encouragement we have received has been inspiring. We are determined to remain resilient in the face of continuing hardship, and we ask you to support our work as generously as you can.
Stephen F. Byrns
President
Ann E. Carmel
Chair
P.S. As a reminder, if you are 70½ or older it may be advantageous to consider a gift to the Conservancy through your IRA.
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