Morven Launches New Fundraiser, Here's How You Can Help

There's laughter and chatter coming from inside Morven Museum & Garden's Carriage House. 

Inside, nearly half a dozen volunteers are hard at work. Some adorn evergreen wreaths with ribbons, acorns, birds and other ornaments. Others construct holiday kissing balls that will entice those standing underneath to smooch. 

It's all part of a new fundraiser at Morven, the proceeds of which will be added to the non-profit's annual operating budget. 

Now through Friday, volunteers are invited to  to decorate wreaths and make kissing balls between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Anyone over 13 years old is welcome. Helpers will be on hand to guide the process. Space is limited and reservations are required. To sign up, contact Marlee at 609-924-8144 x113 or msayen@morven.org. 

The wreaths and kissing balls will be sold during Morven's Festival of Trees- beginning on Wednesday, Nov. 27. The museum plans to make and sell 60 wreaths and up to 30 kissing balls. The wreaths will be sold between $50-$125 (based on size and decoration) and $35 for kissing balls. 

Morven Board Member Liza Morehouse said the idea for the holiday project came from Barbara Gallup, a longtime friend of Morven, who recalled a similar annual project she and her mother used to participate in at Ledew Topiary Gardens in Baltimore. 

With the help of Morven Horticulturalist Pam Ruch, Morven's garden committee and gardeners who conducted an on-site workshop on Monday, the project is now well underway. If it's a success, Morven plans to make it a yearly tradition. 

"This is our first year, so the plan is to see how it goes," Morehouse said.