PRESS RELEASE: For Immediate Release

For more information, contact:
Erin Marteal, Interim Executive Director, Development Director
Ithaca Children’s Garden
Email: Erin@ithacachildrensgarden.org
Phone: (607) 319-4203

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Earth Day Gift Match Will Triple Donations to Ithaca Children’s Garden’s Scholarship Campaign

Update: April 22, 2025, 5:20 PM — Thanks to you, we raised more than $1,000 this Earth Day, bringing us closer to our $27,000 Scholarship Campaign goal and helping ensure every child can grow, explore, and wonder at ICG. A special shout-out to our community partners and Earth Day Sponsors — Wegmans, Visions FCU, and the Home Depot Foundation — for helping make our Earth Day Action Volunteer Day and our $1,000 Triple Match Day such a success. But we’re not done yet! There are still eight days left to unlock the full $27,000 match and make your gift go twice as far. Make a gift by April 30th to create even more opportunities for kids to thrive. Together, we can make a difference! Let’s finish strong — for kids, for the Earth, and for a future blooming with possibility.

ITHACA, NY— April 17, 2025 — This Earth Day, Ithaca Children’s Garden (ICG) is inviting the community to give back to the planet — and the next generation — with a powerful new matching opportunity.

As part of ICG’s 2025 Scholarship Campaign, all gifts made by first-time and lapsed donors on Earth Day, Tuesday, April 22, will be TRIPLED, thanks to a special $1,000 match from Wegmans. Additional key support for the campaign comes from Visions Federal Credit Union and The Home Depot Foundation.

The community is already more than halfway to the goal, having raised more than $14,000 of the $27,000 needed by April 30. 

“This campaign is about making sure every child can experience the wonder and sense of belonging that comes from a personal relationship with the outdoors, said Erin Marteal, ICG’s Development Director. “And with this special Earth Day match challenge, each new gift goes three times as far.”

The Earth Day match is a special feature of ICG’s broader April Scholarship Campaign, which aims to raise $27,000 by April 30. All gifts during the month will be matched dollar-for-dollar by a generous anonymous donor, doubling the total impact to $54,000 and opening access to nature-based programming for over 100 local children, regardless of their family’s ability to pay.

Who qualifies for the Earth Day triple match?

• First-time donors
• Past donors who have not given in the last two years

All gifts from these supporters made on April 22 will be matched 2:1, tripling their impact.

In addition to giving, ICG invites the community to roll up their sleeves and celebrate Earth Day in action:

Earth Day Action: Volunteer Day at ICG
Tuesday, April 22 | 10 AM – 3 PM | RSVP Required
Get your hands in the dirt and help ICG bloom! Sponsored by Wegmans, Visions Federal Credit Union, and The Home Depot, this hands-on day of service is an opportunity to care for the Garden and contribute to a more sustainable, inclusive community space. 

ICG extends heartfelt thanks to all who have already contributed to its Scholarship Campaign. To further maximize the impact, returning supporters are encouraged to share the campaign with their networks or consider making an additional gift before April 30 to help unlock the full match.

To give or learn more about the Scholarship Fund, visit https://tinyurl.com/ICGScholarship, or contact Erin Marteal, ICG’s Development Director, at giving@ithacachildrensgarden.org.

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About Ithaca Children’s Garden:

Ithaca Children’s Garden is a three-acre public children’s garden located on the Cayuga Waterfront Trail. With a mission to inspire and connect children to nature, the Garden offers dynamic programs and welcoming spaces for children of all ages to learn, grow, and play.

As a nonprofit organization, ICG depends on the support of the community to provide children with opportunities to connect with nature, nurturing the next generation of environmental stewards. Please consider supporting ICG’s mission by visiting https://www.ithacachildrensgarden.org/support/

For more information, please visit: https://www.ithacachildrensgarden.org/

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