When Pat Main and her family first arrived in Toronto from Scotland, the first place she felt like she belonged was a garden across the street. Years later, she has pledged $40,000 to help keep it thriving for everyone.
This year’s Hearts & Flowers campaign asks a simple question: “What does the Garden give you?” For Pat, the answer fills a lot of years.
A garden that feels like home
“Being unfamiliar with Toronto when we first arrived [from Scotland], the Garden was our refuge,” says Pat, recounting her family’s experience. “It was a place that felt familiar; I’d been in botanical gardens almost weekly growing up in Edinburgh. I was comfortable being in it, and it was a good place for my kids to be.”
Years later, she returned to Toronto Botanical Garden as a volunteer in the Shop and Gardens, and found joy and support in the TBG community. “It’s another circle of friends,” she says. “As one ages, the people you spend time with start diminishing. This way my circle keeps increasing.”
What Pat found here is what Toronto Botanical Garden offers thousands of neighbours: a warm, welcoming community hub in a busy city.
A place to put the day down
Pat has been a gardener her whole life. “It sort of soothes my soul,” she says. “I just love the textures and the colours and the fact that I’ve grown this from a seed. I love checking to see how many insects are on the flowers and where the butterflies are today. It’s a little world of its own, the garden. It just makes me feel internally calm and serene.”
Even on the busiest, most exhausting days, gardening renews her.
“There’s nothing nicer than coming home, tired, and you go into the garden, where every trouble, every concern disappears. I think that’s what gardens do for people: it gives them something else to think about and enjoy.”
In a city that rarely slows down, Toronto Botanical Garden is a free place for anyone to find that calm.
A place to learn
Pat has also seen what access to a garden means for children in the city, and how it can inspire a lifelong appreciation for horticulture. She spent time volunteering in the Teaching Garden, where school groups plant, grow and harvest produce that is donated to the North York Harvest Food Bank.
“City kids, particularly new immigrant kids, have such limited opportunity for grass, for greenery, for gardens; Here, they can put their hands in the dirt and plant a seed or come back and harvest carrots. It’s a huge educational experience, and for some, it’ll last forever. They’ll always want to do it because it’s magic.”
Thanks to donors, over 65% of children’s education programs at TBG are free or subsidized, so every child can experience the wonder of the Gardens.
Giving back is in Pat’s roots
Pat’s parents and grandparents were very involved in their community. Her grandfather even turned their family farm into a sports field and club for marginalized youth. “I grew up knowing that volunteering, giving back and helping others was a very important partof my life,” says Pat.
Pat has given monthly to TBG, and this year she decided to do more. “I suddenly realized that if I was going to give money, that it would be very well used by TBG. The mission is lovely.”
She hopes her matching gift encourages others to join her.
“I hope that maybe people would say, ‘okay, if she’s prepared to do that, maybe I’ll feel I can give this year. Or maybe I can plan now to give even more next year.’”
Gifts like Pat’s help the Garden stay free, welcoming, and ready to meet the growing needs of our community.
Click here to double your impact
Pat will match every dollar you give until donations reach $40,000. A gift of $250 becomes $500, and $500 becomes $1,000. Your tax-deductible gift helps TBG welcome and engage 350,000 annual visitors, who all enjoy the Garden’s many gifts.
Give back to the Garden today.
Ways to give
- Make your gift online here.
- Our team is here to support you in fulfilling your gift. We can help you process your gift online by calling 416-397-1372 or emailing [email protected].
- You can donate securities and save on capital gains tax. Download our form here to send to your broker.
- Mail in a cheque to 777 Lawrence Avenue East, Toronto, ON M3C 1P2.
