Be part of the bloom! Help St. Charles host America in Bloom National Symposium and Awards in October

Have you got a green thumb? A talent for event planning? An eye for beauty? And are you looking to get involved in a local event that helps promote St. Charles and the surrounding area to visitors from across the nation? Then you might be just who they need at America in Bloom.

Some 300 visitors from cities around the country will gather October 3-5 at Pheasant Run Resort in St. Charles for the America in Bloom Symposium and Awards Program. And you can be a part of all the beauty and celebration to be had.

The local group, America in Bloom - St. Charles, is looking for volunteers to help put on this extensive event.

“The symposium offers an exciting chance to showcase our beautiful city to people from across the country who are eager to learn more about our community improvement practices and tour our parks, and cultural and historic sites,” says America in Bloom – St. Charles co-chair and Ward 5 Alderman Maureen Lewis.

America in Bloom is a national initiative that promotes beautification and encourages the use of flowers, plants, trees, and other environmental and lifestyle enhancements, creating welcoming and vibrant places to live, work, and play.

Locally,American in Bloom - St. Charles is a group of residents, business people and government leaders who work together to improve St. Charles through landscaping, environmental, and heritage preservation projects.

“The America in Bloom program allows the Park District to showcase its parks, natural areas, and trails. Being part of this national program allowed us to learn how other communities address issues within our industry, which has resulted in improved best practices,” says Holly Cabel, St. Charles Park District Director of Parks and Recreation .

America in Bloom - St. Charles enters the America in Bloom national program each year. St. Charles took home top honors in 2017, winning its population category, and then winning in the Circle of Champions in 2018.

The group organizes the Holiday Light Recycling program that diverts tons of lights from landfills each year. It handled the installation of medallions for downtown storm drains as a reminder these drains connect directly to the river. Members added new cement planters around town, recycling containers throughout the community, and helped to install festive lights on the First Street Plaza.

“Volunteerism is essential to the success of America in Bloom,” says America in Bloom – St. Charles co-chair Diane Cullen. “This effort brings people together and offers an opportunity to do something good for the community.”

And with the national event coming to the city in October, there’s plenty more to be done! Volunteers are needed for, among other things, assisting with tours downtown and work the registration table at Pheasant Run. All training will be provided.

For more information, contact Diane Cullen at dianecullen@gmail.com or Maureen Lewis atmlewis@stcharlesil.gov or 630-584-4622. To get involved, register to volunteer at VolunteerMatch www.volunteermatch.org/search/opp3167212.jsp or contact Marcia Koenen, Volunteer Coordinator at 630-205-2868 or mkoenen@att.net. And follow the group on Facebookwww.facebook.com/americainbloom.stc.il.