How Board Chair Bob Wolk came on board:
Rabbi Hillel the Elder once said, “If I am not for myself, who will be? If I’m only for myself, what am I? If not now, when?”
Hmm. So the water bill arrived one day, along with an invitation from Metro Blooms to nominate a garden for the Minneapolis Garden Award. Well, if I am not for myself, who will be? So I entered my own garden. It wasn’t much, really… My wife Debby and I had just downsized, and had a modest garden in the back and front.
Surprise! We got a Garden of Merit certificate and went to claim it at Metro Blooms’ Blooms Day event. The event was crowded with people with dirty fingernails. To my surprise, Garden of Merit was the lowest ranking. The people who won the Garden of Excellence awards were sitting in the front row. Each of those winners was called up by name to thunderous applause. It was then that I vowed my Garden of Merit would become a Garden of Excellence.
After the awards ceremony, people were invited to a Metro Blooms two-hour session on raingardens, so Debby and I attended.
If I’m only for myself, what am I?
We learned about how raingardens help the environment. We became more aware of where we live, how we live, and with whom we live. We learned from Metro Blooms that we are caretakers and that the world is better off via active participation. I couldn’t be only for myself. “Only for myself” eliminates community, and, ironically, it’s through community that each of us will prosper.
If not now, when?
When? Now! So we installed a raingarden. For our 50th wedding anniversary, we gave each of our 11 neighbors a raingarden with the help of Metro Blooms, the University of Minnesota Master Gardener program, city officials, our friends and relatives, and…..yes…..Rabbi Hillel the Elder.
— Metro Blooms Board Chair Bob Wolk
Please show your support for Bob by making a 100% tax-deductible contribution to Metro Blooms during our Fall Giving Campaign from now through Give to the Max Day on Nov. 15. Donate by clicking on the button below:
Thank you!