This Historic Greater New Bedford Club Just Hit 100 Years — And It Needs Your Help

Any organization that survives for 100 years is worthy of celebration. Add the Greater New Bedford Garden Club to the list.

As it begins its second century, the Garden Club's mission is to add more members.

Garden Club President Pauline Santos stopped by Townsquare Sunday this week to discuss her time with the organization and the challenges it faces in the future.

Rebuilding After the Pandemic

Santos has been a member of the Garden Club for 12 years, and took over as president during the COVID pandemic. "Prior to COVID, the Garden Club had more than 100 members," she said. "After COVID, our numbers were cut in half. People did not return."

Right now, the Garden Club has 45 active members.

"The Garden Club in the past did a lot of community beautification," Santos said. "Our members right now are at a point where all we can do is our own flower arrangements or gardens in our yard. It's not the same."

Community Beautification and Scholarships

"We recently did a small beautification project at Buttonwood Park, planting flowers outside the greenhouse. We're going to keep that up for them," she said.

Santos said the Garden Club is looking for new members, and membership information is available on the club's website.

"We have committees for those interested in the environment and horticulture, and there are monthly workshops as well," she said. "We also award scholarships to students interested in studying agriculture, landscaping, horticulture or other related fields."

Greater New Bedford Garden Club via Facebook

How to Join the Greater New Bedford Garden Club

The Garden Club meets on the first Wednesday of the month, seven months a year, at 1 p.m. at the Acushnet Council on Aging. The meetings are open to the public.

"Sometimes people say, 'I don't have a garden' and don't want to join," Santos said. "But you might have some flowers in a vase or plant flowers in a container to decorate your home. That's gardening! It doesn't have to be a big garden to be involved in the Garden Club."

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