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. 

Sign up for the Young Friends email list.

Young Friends events include Trivia Night—Garden Style, Garden Gallop, and Fest-of-Ale.

Young Friends Council
The Young Friends Council is a board of young-professional leadership volunteers who serve as ambassadors for the Garden within the community. 

Officers

Council Chair
Gwen Arenberg 

Council Co-Chair
Meghan Santen

Past Chair
Mike Torney

Development Committee Chair
Elizabeth Wells

Members

Erica Agnew Andrew Martin
Jack Arnold Evan Martin
Trey Bartsch Lauren Maul
Eryn Bassett Jennie Meresak
Laura Bentele Jennifer Merritt
Kimberly Bousquet Chelsea Merta
Erin Davis Susan Meyer
Ashley Diaz Laura Miller
Lauren Dierkes Rosemary Nazaruk
Brenna Doyle Jessica Nelson
Mallory Fisk Jessica Neumeyer
Colin Gibbs Kevin O'Shaughnessy
Jesse Gray Emma Prince
Hillary Gredell Rebecca Punselie
Matthew Hutchinson Katy Robertson
Anne Hyde Chrissy Hill Rogers
Richard Jerelds Kyle Rosborg
Erin Jones Nathan Russell
Rachel Jones Arathi Srikanta
Kyle Juvers Erin Sullentrup
Mary Kate Keenoy Kate Tichelkamp
Caroline Lemp Courtney Vomund
Anne Luckey Lee Wilber
Ford Manion Athanasia Xeros

Join the Young Friends Council

A call for Council members is made every spring through the Young Friends email list and the Young Friends Facebook group. Council members are selected through a résumé submission process by a nominating committee consisting of current Council members. New members are announced in June.

To learn more, please email young_friends@mobot.org or call (314) 577-5154.

Call for Council members

The Young Friends Council is currently accepting applications for new members. Please submit your cover letter and résumé by April 23, 2021 to young_friends@mobot.org. 

Council members are expected to support the program by donating their time, participating in decision-making and providing financial commitments. This includes but is not limited to:

  • maintaining an active Garden membership
  • attending monthly Council meetings and programs (9 Council meetings per year, Tuesday evenings)
  • supporting Young Friends events through volunteering, financial support, and attending the events (4 events per year)
  • volunteering at Garden events

Council members are expected to serve as ambassadors for the Garden by promoting the institution and its mission to their professional and social networks.

All nominees for the Young Friends Council will be notified of selections by May 28, 2021. Orientation to follow in mid-June.

Questions? Email young_friends@mobot.org or call (314) 577-5154.

Making an Impact: Fundraising Success

Woman helps young girl water plants in recycled containerBetween 2014 and 2018, Young Friends events raised $270,00 to support the Doris I. Schnuck Children’s Garden. The funds benefited improvements to the Children's Garden, including new nature instruments and nature-inspired books. Funds also supported education staff, program enhancements, and seasonal closing weekend activities.

In 2019, the Young Friends fundraising efforts began to support the Garden's sustainability programs across our community, raising more than $70,000 that year. The Young Friends Council continues to support sustainability in 2020.

Join or Renew Your Membership

Members make our mission possible. Thank you for your membership!

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Take a Class

The Garden offers classes on a variety of topics for adults, families and children. Learn more about photography, cooking, green living and of course, home gardening! Members always receive discounted pricing for classes.

Learn more about our classes, tours and workshops