If you have driven through downtown Menomonie recently you have probably noticed the hanging flower baskets that adorn the historic light poles along Main Street, Broadway and Crescent. We hope you are enjoying this colorful addition to our downtown area – but did you ever think about what it takes to hang these baskets year after year? For over 25 years, the GFWC – Menomonie Woman’s Club has raised the funds to purchase these baskets. This is without a doubt, the largest project that the small club of just 13 members undertakes – and they don’t do it alone.  Each fall, club members work with Josh Bergmann from Season’s Harvest Greenhouse to determine how many baskets will be needed for the next summer. A mailing list is prepared and letters are sent out to area businesses as well as individuals asking for donations to cover the cost of the baskets. Donations are collected by the Community Foundation of Dunn County, which provides the donor with a tax deduction. The City of Menomonie hangs the baskets and provides staff to water the baskets daily.

As you can see, this is no small project and the club is still looking for donations to help cover the cost of the 180 baskets that were purchased this year. If you are interested in making a donation, you can send a check to the Community Foundation of Dunn County, 800 Wilson St., Ste. 235, Menomonie, WI 54751 or go online to the Community Foundation Website and search for the GFWC Flower Basket Fund. Cost of a basket is $65, but donations of any amount are gratefully accepted.

To learn more about the club or this project, please reach out to Linda Rundle, club president at: [email protected].