Young Friends
Young Friends of the Garden
Fest-of-AleYoung Friends of the Garden is a group of young professionals with an interest in the Garden’s work in promoting sustainability and strengthening cultural life. Participants enjoy opportunities to meet other young professionals and socialize at after-hours Garden events. Signature Young Friends events include Fest-of-Ale, an annual tasting of locally brewed beers each fall, and the annual Trivia Night–Garden Style.

Young Friends Council
The Young Friends program is led by the Young Friends Council, a group of 50 young-professional leadership volunteers who serve as ambassadors for the Garden within the community. A call for Council members is made every spring through the Young Friends email list and through our Facebook group. Council members are selected through a résumé submission process by a nominating committee consisting of current Council members.

Meet the Chair 
Becky Patel, Configuration Management Specialist for NES Associates LLC, became the fourth chair of the Council in July 2016. Learn a little more about her.

Sign up for the Young Friends email list

To learn more, please email young_friends@mobot.org or call (314) 577-9432.

Making an Impact: Fundraising Success

Children's GardenThe Young Friends Council decided that all proceeds raised through Young Friends events in 2014 through 2018 would be directed to support the Doris I. Schnuck Children’s Garden. The Council raised more than $50,000 through 5 events in 2014 and an additional $42,000 in 2015. More than $30,000 has already been raised in 2016.

These funds are used by the Children’s Garden for physical improvements, including new nature instruments and a weaving loom, as well as nature-inspired books in storybook houses throughout the Children's Garden. Funds also support education staff, program enhancements, and seasonal closing weekend activities.

Young Friends events in 2016 include Trivia Night—Garden Style, Tulip Trot, Adventures with Cocktails, Garden Gallop, and Fest-of-Ale.

The Young Friends Council also personally contributed more than $46,000 to the Garden for the World campaign to support the expansion of the Brookings Exploration Center and new PlantLab, furthering their commitment to children's education at the Garden. The Board of Trustees was so impressed with this success, they matched the total and doubled the impact!

The Young Friends Council is excited to continue this success in 2016 and beyond.

Facebook linkWant to stay in the know?  Join the Young Friends of the Garden's Facebook group.  Join the Young Friends on Facebook
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