Please give your support to the Virginia Master Gardener Association (VMGA) silent auction that will take place at Master Gardener College, VaTech, Blacksburg this June. All proceeds from this auction will go towards the State Master Gardener Coordinator Endowment Fund. Our on-campus Coordinator is essential for the continued success of the Master Gardener program in Virginia. Funds for this position from traditional sources are not guaranteed! VMGA realizes both the dependence of Virginia master gardening on the State Coordinator position and the need for stable funding. In that regard, VMGA initiated an agreement with the Virginia Tech Foundation to partially fund this position with a one million dollar endowment. We need to help make the endowment a reality.

Lively bidding on enticing items donated by your Unit and by individual Master Gardeners are of the utmost importance to the success of this effort. Please be as generous as possible for this worthwhile endeavor. You can help by donating any of the following. Bring your donated items to with you to College or arrange for items to be transported with your local Master Gardener office.

Include your name on the item, value of the item, and your recommendation for a minimum bid on each item. Below are examples of the wide variety of items that we are looking for at this upscale auction. This list is not meant to limit your donations.

gardening tools new and “gently” used books

planters straw hats

fountains bird feeders

bird houses gardening gloves

garden art hand crafted toys

bird baths culinary items

home decor baskets

plants

Thank you for your support of the Coordinator Endowment and the silent auction.

Contact Leslie Paulson (ljp6651@comcast.net or 703-330-9441) or Sharon Corbin (sharonandtrish@comcast.net) if you have questions or would like to assist. Let us know by 12 April 2008 what contributions we can expect from your Unit.