Join our #CircleOfHope as we come together — for the SIXTH YEAR IN A ROW — to honor our veterans and military families by planting thousands of flowers at the veterans’ memorial bordering the Main/Auburn roundabout.

 

DATES and TIMES

This year, our BIG PLANTING DAY is Saturday, May 18.

Our army of volunteers will be planting from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

 

On May 18, we will be planting the flag circle, the fronts and backs of the four monument walls, the medians on North Main Street north and south of the roundabout, and the long bed on Auburn Street in front of Greenwood Cemetery.

 

IF YOU CAN’T JOIN US ON May 18 but still would like to help plant, we will have a HEAD-START PLANTING DAY the Saturday before, on May 11, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

 

On May 11, a team of students from Rock Valley College will be planting the four raised beds in front of the North End Commons businesses at the southwest quadrant of the roundabout.

The four long beds start just north of The Norwegian, Engine Studio and Rooted, and go in front of The West Side Show Room and The GOAT Pub and Grill. These beds line a prominent corridor leading to Veterans Memorial Circle, and involve a lot of work on their own. So extra help would be most appreciated that day as well.

 

TOUR OF DUTY

Join us for as long as you can.

No assigned shifts.

No need to register ahead of time.

 

COMMAND CENTER

Sign in at the GREEN TENT in front of Greenwood Cemetery.

We will provide:

  • tools
  • safety vests
  • water
  • snacks (the classics from military rations).

 

ASSIGNMENTS

At the check-in station, you will be directed to a work area.

If you have a group of family members or co-workers, or friends from a community organization that you’d like to work with, let Ernie Redfern, project supervisor, know soon as possible. Ernie will make sure you all have the same work zone.

Email ernie@rockfordveteranscircle.org or call Ernie at (815) 265-6184.

 

WHAT TO BRING

  • Gloves
  • Your favorite gardening tools—if you’d prefer to use your own. Please make sure they are marked.
  • A completed version of the volunteer form required by the City of Rockford (so that you can save time at the check-in desk). Volunteer form for May 18. Volunteer form for May 11.

 

PARKING

  • Greenwood Cemetery near the Auburn Street entrance—please proceed respectfully!
  • Side streets on the NE, SE and SW quadrants of the roundabout.
  • After 2 p.m., when North End City Market closes, the city parking lot on the SE quadrant of the roundabout.

 

QUESTIONS

Email Ernie Redfern at ernie@rockfordveteranscircle.org or Helen Redfern at helen@rockfordveteranscircle.org.

Call Ernie or Helen at (815) 265-6184.