By Mary Jo Viero
BAPA Executive Director
I have to admit that I am still a little giddy a few weeks after BAPA’s first–ever Beverly/Morgan Park Garden Walk. After six months of disappointments and setbacks, the ability for BAPA to do what we do best was a tremendous gift. We were able to bring our community together for a special event for the first time all year!
Our goal is always to bring out the best in our community. That means showcasing the beauty of it, through gardens and architecture, using local businesses to add to the experience, providing an opportunity to enjoy each other’s company and giving ourselves a lift in spirit at the same time.
As I reflect on the day, I think the Garden Walk accomplished our goal.
We were blessed with perfect weather, wonderful volunteers, support from local businesses, visits by over 600 participants and unique surprises at every garden. Thank you to all who took part!
But now we must look forward. How can BAPA bring out the best in our community again?
COVID-19 has forced us to think differently and, sadly, we are unable to hots our usual Sip and Shop and Cookie Crawl. These events are designed to bring our neighbors together to support local businesses in a fun and friendly way.
So what can we do instead? The answer — BAPA’s 12 Weeks of Christmas Raffle.
After a lot of brainstorming, we are thrilled to present a new and exciting way to support our community. We have designed 12 different collaborative prizes that will be fully paid for by BAPA and engage local businesses. A prize package worth $1500 will be awarded to every week through Dec. 23.
BAPA is investing over $18,000 into our local economy and highlighting the vast amount of local goods and services available right here in our community.
As we enter the last quarter of 2020, we must continue to think local. If ever there was a time to shop local and think before you click, it is now. I hope you will all take part in supporting the 12 Weeks of Christmas Raffle. Once our costs are paid, ticket purchases will help BAPA fill our funding deficit too.
We want to be able to continue to bring out the best in our neighborhood with community-building events, programs to promote our schools, safety, beautification, and small business support. I hope you will rally behind this effort. Let the games begin!
Best,
Mary Jo
