Only Blithewold can throw a party celebrating trees! And well they should, because Blithewold Mansion, Gardens and Arboretum has the most wonderful and perfectly maintained 33 acres of gardens and graceful, historic grounds anywhere.

More than 350 guests participated in celebrating and honoring the trees and their “caretakers”, arborist Sam Kinder, and horticulturists Sue and Neil Van Sloan, and Dominique Brown. This year’s gala raised money for Blithewold’s master plan project which will create a template for the future programming, capital improvements and long term preservation of this beloved, magical garden estate.

GO GALA! I cannot imagine Bristol without Blithewold…

So many people and local event related companies helped make this happen. Barbara Vachon and Reenie Barrow worked tirelessly as the mastermind/co-chairs. Lois Coppolino of Daisy Diggins donated her design skills, provided the greens and flowers at wholesale so the Blithewold volunteers could create all of the florals. Mark Gasbarro/Gasbarro wines donated the champagne and provided the wines at wholesale. The amazing tent designer, Kelli O’Brien of Exquisite Events donated her time at wholesale rates. Rentals Unlimited discounted all of the linens, chairs and tables. New England Tent did the huge and gorgeous tent. Newport Tent donated the expansive dance floor. Russ Morin catered. And Oggi gave from the heart and did the photos at cost.

It takes many caring individuals and small businesses to donate time and materials to make a fundraiser actually raise funds. We donate our time to help our causes:

The Heart Gallery of Adoption RI
Linden Place
The Healing Coop Center for Woman with Cancer
The Institute for the Study and Practice of Non-Violence
and
Blithewold Mansion to name a few.

If you believe in an organization, work to help make it practice what it preaches. It will do your heart good.