Imagine yourself seated on a bench in a cool grove of oak trees.  In the background you hear the trickle of water flowing from a water feature.  As you inhale the scents from nearby Valencia orange trees and sweet olive bushes, you view plantings of white roses and gardenias, white and blue agapanthus and red sun azaleas.

Your moments spent in the “Oak Lea” were the original vision of Treasurer General/Honorary State Regent Carol Jackson.  She envisioned the Oak Lea as a quiet garden on CSSDAR State Headquarters property where members could walk, engage in conversation or meditate.  Phase I of her beautification project at CSSDAR State Headquarters was completed during her administration.  Phase II which included lighting, irrigation, preliminary concrete work and construction of a donor wall, was finished during the Moncrieff administration.

Phase III – the final phase – is scheduled to be completed during State Regent Adele Lancaster’s administration.  It involves completion of the walkways (outlined in red brick to match the donor wall); plant placement; installation of a water feature, planter and eight (8) benches; construction of two (2) pillars and mulching of exposed areas.

We are so close to the finish line!  Your donations are needed to complete this project.  You can contribute in several ways. You can make a general donation to the Oak Lea Project ($20 minimum), adopt a plant ($30, $40 or $60) or adopt an orange tree ($150).  You can also adopt an item: a bag of mulch ($25), bench ($500), water fountain ($500).  For a donation of $1,000 or more, your name will be placed on the Oak Lea donor wall.

Donation checks should be mailed to CSSDAR Headquarters (P.O. Box 1436, Glendora, CA, 91740-1436), or presented at the September Council meetings. Checks should be made out to “CSSDAR State Treasurer,” and donation designation should be indicated on the check.  Donations are also being accepted on the CSSDAR state website via the CSSDAR WebStore.

Questions???  Please contact project chair Sally Holcombe at 925-938-9137 or sallyholcombe@mac.com).

Let’s make that difference, support this State Regent’s Project and complete the Oak Lea!