Volunteer Spotlight: Cindy B.

Volunteer Spotlight: Cindy B.

Since starting as the Manager of Volunteer Engagement only a few months ago, there are volunteers who are here so often and know so much that I assume they’ve been here forever. Cindy B. is one of those volunteers, so I was shocked to learn that she only started volunteering at Reiman Gardens last November! In less than a year, Cindy has already volunteered almost 200 hours.

I reached out to Cindy because of her dedication to helping Jessie this summer in the Trial Gardens. This week. All-America Selections, a nonprofit plant trialing organization, will be visiting Reiman Gardens to view our Trials. We are thankful to all of our horticulture volunteers for helping us get our gardens in tip top shape for all of our visitors!

Cindy B., volunteer from 2021a woman smiles into the camera, a jungle of foliage behind her

Why did you first decide to volunteer at Reiman Gardens?

I’ve always enjoyed looking at the gardens from a distance and wanted to become more involved. I had seen the gardens the previous year during the holiday season and really enjoyed them. I figured it was the perfect time to get involved. At night, during the cold part of the year. Cold toes and fingers. Standing around directing and visiting with guests. Yep, fit my desires completely.

Why did you continue to volunteer here?

Reiman Gardens is a super fun place. The gardens change weekly. The other volunteers have been very inviting. The horticulturists have such an imagination and vision to try so many things. After volunteering, it’s fun to walk around the gardens and visit with some of the guests and see their smiles and happy faces.

What types of volunteering did you try, and what were your favorite types of volunteering opportunities?

So far I have been involved with [Winter Wonderscape] Holiday Lights, pot washing, transplanting, conservatory change out and weekly maintenance and outside work, weeding and planting, with several horticulturists. I don’t have a favorite.

What do you do for fun when you aren’t at Reiman Gardens?

You can find me on my bike or kayak, cleaning up the rivers in the area, playing with my many cats or weeding my own gardens.

Anything else you’d like to share?

Reiman Gardens is a great asset to the community. Everyone should come at least once a  year and see the gardens.

Thank you, Cindy, for sharing your volunteer story. We at Reiman are so thankful for passionate, caring, and kind volunteers who pour themselves into the preservation and appreciation of the natural world for our visitors.  If you’d like more information about volunteering, learn more here.