Volunteer Voices

Nearly 1 in 4 children in Story County continue to be eligible to receive free and reduced lunch at their schools.* This summer, Reiman Gardens hopes to build momentum for the Plant a Row for the Hungry (“PAR“) program, and we need your help! Story County PAR  in Ames began […]

Posted  April 28, 2022 Thank you to all of our photo submissions AND for those of you who voted. The votes are in, and are winners are… Best Photo of Reiman Gardens: Linda Wendt Best Garden Photo from Your Backyard: Anne Kretsinger-Harries Best Nature Photo from Your Neighborhood or Community: […]

The 2021 Volunteer Impact Report is now available!  View the report here:  https://issuu.com/reimangardensvolunteers/docs/2021_volunteer_impact_report_final 2021 proved to be another year filled with unique challenges and creative opportunities. We were fortunate to welcome back more volunteers to the Gardens and were able to engage them with thoughtful and impactful activities that supported our community. […]

I’ve been working at Reiman Gardens for three weeks now. I had no idea getting volunteers was so complicated. I assumed you would just put up a flyer, and then people would help you when you want, but it takes way more than that.   I’ve been working on some of the plans […]

Volunteers are an important and imperative piece of everything we do at Reiman Gardens. We are so thankful for our volunteers and grateful to them for their ongoing support during this difficult time. Despite all the challenges and setbacks, our volunteers accomplished so much. From helping with projects from home, to planting […]

While this past year brought many challenges, it also provided us with opportunities to engage and support our volunteers in new ways. These shifts have not been easy for anyone, but our volunteers persisted, and for that, we are grateful. When our doors closed this past spring and summer, volunteer […]

When I moved to Ames eight years ago I had plenty to keep me busy. A new home and yard always needs some attention when you move in. Generally, the colors in the house aren’t quite right so get out the painting materials. There were boxes and boxes of everything. […]

Hello, my name is Lori Underwood.  I am an Iowa State alumni.  I moved back to the Ames area almost two years ago.  You may currently find me helping out in the Christina Reiman Butterfly Wing or with Caterpillar Club. There are many reasons that I enjoy volunteering at Reiman […]

My favorite aspect of volunteering is interacting with our guests, especially our youngest visitors. The enthusiasm they bring into the Christina Reiman Butterfly Wing lights up the space, and they always have the most interesting questions! On days when visitors are sparse, especially frigid winter days, relaxing in the Butterfly […]

I started visiting Reiman Gardens shortly after it opened twenty-five years ago. It was always a place to relax and enjoy the plants and grounds. Sometime after the Butterfly Wing opened, I began to volunteer as a docent there. I got to know other volunteers and the names of some […]