Volunteer
Volunteering for the Civic Garden Center
We welcome all inquiries for volunteering at the Civic Garden Center and look forward to finding the perfect place for you to share your time with us! When contacting us, please give consideration to your availability and the amount of time you are able to donate.
With the exception of projects in our community or children’s gardens, most of our volunteer hours coincide with the Center’s weekday business hours; 9:00am to 4:00 pm, Monday through Friday.
On occasion there is a call for volunteer help during special events which occur during evening hours, though it should be noted that this is more the exception than the rule.
Thank you for your interest, now let's get our hands dirty!
Volunteer Opportunities with the Civic Garden Center
(Please call Jan Simms at 513-221-0981 for details)
SPRINGTIME …
February 13 (ongoing) Silent Auction
Individuals needed to assist in posting details of auction items as well as making calls to obtain additional offerings. Skills needed: (one or more) still photography, copy writing, comfort level asking for donations.
February 16 - Midwinter Quilt Tea
Hostesses, servers and dishwashers needed from 9:00 to 1:00 pm.
February 11 to March 1 – Home and Garden Show Construction and Assembly
Help is needed to fabricate elements of this year’s exhibit both at the CGC campus and at the Duke Center. Skills needed: carpenters, gardeners, crafters, painters. Work times are somewhat flexible.
March 3 and March 6-10 - Home and Garden Show
CGC Ambassadors needed. Skills needed: ability to represent the CGC and its programs. Greet show visitors and discuss various elements of the exhibit design. Training session TBA.
April 15 to May 2 - Donated Plants and Diggers
Diggers and potters needed to get plants ready for THE Plant Sale’s Donated Plants Booth.
Skills needed: general planting knowledge and a will to get your hands and knees dirty! Please contact Terry Lemmerman at (513) 608-7846 or tlemmerman@hotmail.com for dates and times.
May 2 to May 5 – THE Plant Sale
Many positions available for energetic individuals to staff our biggest (and most fun) fundraiser of the year!
Set-up/tear-down and grounds clean-up
Plant booth set up and truck unloading
Donated plant digging and potting
Book sale customer service
Check out assistance and customer service
Party bar backs, bussers & servers
Dishwashers
Food Prep
Silent auction assistance
Park-a-Pot plant valet service
Cart runners
Site security … and more!
Party bar backs, bussers & servers
SUMMERTIME ….
Horticulturist Assistant – Our staff horticulturist is seeking a volunteer helper for weekly grounds maintenance throughout the season. Jobs include watering, mowing and pond maintenance.
Veggie Garden Help - Come once or twice a week to keep up with the goodies (and weeds) growing in our garden. We recommend mornings before the day’s heat sets in.
Wednesday Crew Day:
Dirt Crew – Learn and practice all sorts of plant and garden maintenance while you spiff up our gardens and share the company of volunteers with similar interests. (9am to 11:30, bring a brown bag for lunch on the patio afterward)
Herb and Cutting Garden – Spend some thyme with other volunteers keeping the herb garden trimmed and shaped. This is also a great opportunity to become involved in the planting of our new cutting garden! (begins at 9am or 8am on very hot days)
The following section stays the same.
Additional Volunteer positions at the Civic Garden Center
There are many ways and areas of interest for which you can volunteer.
Over 500 women, men and youth volunteer each year for the Civic Garden Center. Their time donated equals seven full time staff.
We invite you to share your time and talents with us, too.
Youth Education Programs
Working with our youngest gardeners
- Compost Kids field trips for elementary classes K-6
- Summer Sprouts
- Grow to Learn to Grow school program
- Craft classes for kids
Working in the Gardens
- Beautification, building and seasonal cleanup projects
- Herb Garden Team on Tuesday morning
- Dirt Crew on Wednesday morning
- Community Gardens - mulching, garden clean up, building arbors and raised beds; schedule arranged with staff
Events
- Quilt Committee
- Glorious Gardens Tour
- The Plant Sale
- Home & Garden Show
- Christmas Tree Sale
- Community Gardens Tour
- Fall Plant Sale
- Flavors of Community Gardens
- Greens Gatherings
Horticulture Helpline
Research and answer homeowner gardening questions
Hoffman Library
Managing the horticulture library collection
Reception Desk
Greeting visitors and directing phone calls
Administrative Assistance
Computer work, bulk mailing, and other in-house tasks
Facility Maintenance
Minor repairs, painting, tool maintenance and other handy tasks
Before you go out to the garden…
Whether you are doing a little weeding around the house or spending the day volunteering at a neighborhood garden, here are a few essentials sure to improve your comfort and the success of your project….
Bare Minimum - for your own safety, make sure you have these items:
Water Bottle or canteen
Closed-toed shoes
Hat or sunscreen
Gloves
Additional items to remember:
Weather and project appropriate clothing:
Protection provided by long sleeves or pant-legs
Layers for a cool day or changing temperature
A change of shoes and/or shirt
Towel or bandana
Snack or brown bag lunch for fuel
Insect repellent and first aid items