Seeds of Friendship, 2026
by Pat Kuczak, Chair

Thank you, Karen Hovey, for your many years of leadership and commitment to the GCO Seeds of Friendship project.

This has been a transition year for The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium Conservation Programs and Partnerships staffing as well as for my taking on the role as Chair.

Janet Eads, a long-time volunteer with the program, agreed to deliver the seeds to the people of Rwanda, and Debra Turner gave me the “green light” to move forward with purchasing seeds.
I ordered/purchased Ferry-Morse and Livingston seeds at wholesale prices and had the sales tax exemption which resulted in good quality and uniformity.

It’s with a grateful heart that I acknowledge the generous donations from GCO clubs/club members to the Seeds of Friendship program. This gratitude was also expressed by the Zoo’s staff–“It means so much to know that there are friends all over Ohio thinking about and supporting our incredible partners in conservation in Rwanda!”

We delivered 178 packets of the eight requested seed packets (Cabbages, Carrots, Green Peppers, Onions, Pole Beans, Tomatoes, Cosmos, and Zinnia). Many Green Beans, Cabbage, Cosmos, and Zinnia seeds packets were also donated.  Members donated 38 pair of gardening gloves, and $2,000 was donated to Partners in Conservation. This benefits the people of Rwanda as well as the conservation and habitat of the gorillas and lush Rainforest.

Monetary donations amounted to $3,361.21 which includes GCO’s $750 donation.

The following clubs provided monetary donations:

Carrollton           Centerville      Chippewa    Clovernook      Creative Arrangers
East Rochester     Emerald Necklace    Gates Mills   Greenview  Hartville
Hilliard Area  Madison   Monfort Heights  New Richmond  North Canton  Oakley
Ridgewood GC of Parma   River Road  Rolling Hills  Serendipity in honor of Debbie Osborn
Toledo District Town & Country of Alliance  Town & Country, Norwalk Western Hills Westerville

Seeds and/or gloves donations:
Damascus   Greenview  Sara Moomaw   Rolling Hills   Town & Country

Additional donations:
Miami Valley Rose Society members, money
Kroger, seeds