We’re So Grateful For Our Volunteers

While 2021 didn’t get us back to normal completely, it was wonderful to be able to bring back many of the things we were unable to do in 2020.

In 2021, we were able to safely hold in-person events like Field to Table and Hat Day, give away over 1,000 Trick or Treat bags at Halloween, host Breakfasts with Santa, increase our weekly horticulture group sizes, welcome back corporate groups for one-day volunteer opportunities, watch butterflies take flight in the Pacific Island Water Garden Biome again, bring back in-person culinary classes and Scout programs, and of course have Interior Horticulture volunteers, Paul Busse Garden Railway volunteers, and Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation Children’s Garden volunteers on site almost daily.

Over 300 individual volunteers gave at least one hour of volunteer service to the Conservatory in 2021 and these volunteers, together, served a total of 10,653 hours. Additionally, 19 groups came to the Conservatory for a morning or afternoon one-time group volunteer opportunity, providing almost 500 more hours of service.

Altogether, volunteers gave 11,108 hours to the Conservatory in 2021. The total value of the service provided by volunteers to the Conservatory last year equaled an amazing $282,921!

We are always so grateful that you choose to give a portion of your time and your talents to the Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens. Every shift that you come in to volunteer is a huge help to our staff and adds to the joy experienced by our guests when they are visiting the Conservatory. This past year, you have all stepped up in a huge way to help us keep everyone safe, healthy, happy, and have helped us keep our doors open.

So whether you’ve served one shift or one hundred (or more) hours, thank you to every one of our volunteers for making Franklin Park Conservatory one of the most visited and beloved sites in Columbus!

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