The Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Gardenhas announced that three long-time Dallas Arboretum volunteers, Kaye Glore, Jaci Stewart and Dennis Wright, are the 2015 Dallas Blooms co-chairs. All active volunteers, they have volunteeredfive or more years and servedon the Arboretum’s Volunteer Advisory Board. Combined, these three East Dallas residents have contributed more than 10,500 hours to the Arboretum.
Glore began volunteering at the Dallas Arboretum in the spring of 2000. “During Easter weekend, my husband, J., and I heard a public service announcement on the radio asking for volunteers for the weekend,” she said. “We decided to give it a try and immediately fell in love with the garden. That began my 15 years association with the Dallas Arboretum.” Coincidentally, J. Glore loved volunteering so much that he now works at the Arboretum as an event facilitator.
Over the years, Kaye Glore recalls some distinct memories of the Arboretum. “Because of limited office space, several departments were located in trailers, and Phase II of A Woman’s Garden had not yet begun construction.” She also remembers when the Martin Rutchik Concert Stage and Lawn was simply a wooden platform where the musicians played just six concerts a year. “The concerts back then were well attended, but there are even more people who attend the Cool Thursdays concerts as nothing compares to the beauty and backdrop of our stage now.”
Glore has served on the Volunteer Advisory Board as membership chair for four years. Although she recently rolled off of the VAB passing her baton to fellow co-chair Jaci Stewart, she shows no signs of slowing down. Glore plans on continuing to train new volunteers for membership. “I love to be in the thick of things at the Arboretum and look forward to the responsibility of working alongside staff and volunteers to make this the best Blooms ever.”
Stewart started volunteering in 2006 after her good friend, Kay Glore, encouraged her to work alongside her at the membership table. After nine years of service, Stewart eagerly welcomes the opportunity to be 2015 Dallas Blooms co-chair. She said, “Being a co-chair will be a big job as we help the festival to run smoothly. My favorite part about volunteering is meeting and interacting with all the people who buy or renew a membership because you meet so many types of people.”
Dennis Wright has been a volunteer for more than six years, contributing almost 5,000 volunteer hours in that time. He is also the standing president of the Volunteer Advisory Board, dedicating at least two days of service each week. “I am very honored to be asked to co-chair Dallas Blooms. It’s not just the flowers, but it is also the colors, the sounds of excitement of spring, the people and the activities for all ages that make Dallas Blooms so special.” He has particularly enjoyed the openingof the Rory Meyers Children’s Adventure Garden and the Dallas Arboretum’s new parking garage.
Dallas Blooms has grown into one of the Metroplex’s most spectacular annual events, ushering in spring time in Dallas. Stewart added, “People should come and experience the glorious colors and the ability to find serenity in the big city.”
As the Dallas Arboretum celebrates the 31st Annual Dallas Blooms, the three volunteers are excited for this festival. “I am looking forward to the new master plan for our future,” said Wright. “I look forward to being a part of all the great things to come.”
The co-chairs will be available to talk to potential volunteers at an information breakfast on February 28, 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m, at Rosine Hall. Attendees will learn about volunteering in the Rory Meyers Children’s Adventure Garden at the Dallas Arboretum and at Dallas Blooms. For more information about this meeting or to volunteer, call 214-515-6561 or email volunteers@dallasarboretum.org.
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About Dallas Blooms:
Dallas Blooms, the largest floral festival in the Southwest, has been a tradition for more than 30 years, and this year’s theme plays homage to the beloved state: Dallas Blooms: Deep in the Hearts of Texans. The floral festival begins on February 28 and continues through April 12. This year’s Texas-sized extravaganza features more than 500,000 spring blooming bulbs along with Texas themed topiaries, entertainment, food and special activities celebrating Texas.Bank of America is the presenting sponsor of Dallas Blooms, with Park Place Dealerships, Celebrity Cruises, C.C. Young and Tom Thumb as supporting sponsors.
About the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden:
The Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Gardens is located on the southeastern shore of White Rock Lake at 8525 Garland Road, Dallas, Texas 75218. The Dallas Arboretum is also the home of the internationally acclaimed Rory Meyers Children’s Adventure Garden. The Arboretum is open daily from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. General admission is $15 for adults, $12 for seniors 65 and older, $10 for children 3-12 and free for Arboretum members and children two and under. There is an additional cost of $3 per person for entrance into the Rory Meyers Children’s Adventure Garden. On-site parking is $15; pre-purchased online parking is $8. The Dallas Morning News is the principal partner of the Dallas Arboretum. The Arboretum is supported, in part, by funds from the Dallas Park and Recreation Department. WFAA is an official media sponsor for the Dallas Arboretum.