The Elmwood Business Association is looking for sponsors for planters.

Submitted by Pamela Hilborn

For the past couple of summers and into the fall season, a trip down New Britain Avenue in the Elmwood section of West Hartford was a lot more colorful with many vibrant floral planters – 61 last year. Charlie Hilborn, owner of Sheehan Hilborn Breen Funeral Home, hopes to see Elmwood Bloom again this year with even more planters! 

Charlie’s vision to help beautify Elmwood became reality thanks to the generosity of several local businesses. Charlie will be contacting them for their support again this year, but also trying to get the whole community involved. 

“This year we are also going to reach out to the residents and friends of Elmwood to help in purchasing more planters,” said Charlie. “We are hoping everyone will consider participating as every little bit will help keep Elmwood Blooming.” 

Three years ago, Charlie brought his idea to the Elmwood Business Association who endorsed the project. Charlie contacted Knox of Hartford. Knox coordinates a variety of greening programs, including workforce training, Community Gardening Program, Blooms Planters, Trees for Hartford Neighborhoods, Green Team, and Hartford Cleans Up. Knox is an ever-growing coalition of residents, volunteers, corporate partners, and community organizations that support greater Hartford’s people and environment. 

Having much success with the planters throughout Hartford, Ron Pitz and Ryan O’Halloran of Knox enthusiastically agreed to work with Charlie and the Elmwood Business Association and now with most of the other Business Associations in West Hartford. The Knox Green Crew plants seeds and seedlings in March and then transfers the plants into large 3-foot planters at end of April. The gorgeous planters are generous in size and are overflowing with locally grown annuals and a centerpiece. Delivery will begin in early June.

If you are interested in helping to support the purchase of the planters, please stop by Sheehan Hilborn Breen Funeral Home at 1084 New Britain Ave. or Dr. Rick Liftig’s office at 10 Princeton St. during business hours or mail a check to Elmwood Business Association, 10 Princeton St., West Hartford 06110. 

Thank you for your support to Help Elmwood Bloom Again!   

For more information you can contact Charles Hilborn at 860-561-3800.

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