WESTMINSTER — Westminster Cares has cancelled its annual Garden Tour fundraiser due to COVID-19.
“The Garden Tour has grown into a major event attracting several hundred attendees, many from other states and Vermonters alike,” the nonprofit's board of directors said in a news release. “To execute a successful event requires six to eight months of planning which starts in the first quarter of the year.”
“While there is still an ongoing pandemic and uncertainty around gathering requirements, quarantine restrictions, and vaccination timelines, it was decided that the responsible course of action would be to regrettably postpone the fundraising event until next year,” the board's statement continued.
Westminster Cares Director Donna Dawson said that the Fundraising Committee and the full board “had several meetings and were in conversation with Gordon and Mary Hayward,” whose gardens are a centerpiece of the tour.
“This was not a decision we came to lightly; but our board exercised an 'abundance of caution' in making this difficult decision,” board members continued.
Dawson said that the deciding factor “was the health and safety of our volunteers, Garden Tour hosts, and attendees. We are focused on moving forward and setting our sights on welcoming folks back with a wonderful 2022 Garden Tour.”
Unexpected windfall
In an unexpected twist, Westminster Cares recently received $8,333.33 from Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders' office, proceeds from sales of merchandise featuring a viral photograph of Sanders on Inauguration Day sitting in a chair, legs crossed, bundled in parka and mittens.
“Quick-thinking, good-sport Sen. Sanders parlayed the moment into more than $1.8 million dollars raised for Vermont charities,” the board said.
“While we could never have imagined such a moment would benefit Westminster Cares, we are grateful to have been chosen as one of the recipients resulting from our Meals on Wheels deliveries, and it certainly provides a degree of relief knowing that we've cancelled the Garden Tour, which is not without financial consequences.”