Relationships bloom with Yountville Foundation Grants
In January 2020, Yountville residents Ivy Zellmer and Leslie Caccamese Hill, who had closely connected backyards, realized they could plant a flower garden in Leslie’s yard that others could enjoy. The idea of applying for a Yountville “Happiness Grant” blossomed, along with their growing friendship.
They figured that planting seeds for up to 20 flower varietals could create bouquets to share with other neighbors. They applied for the grant and the Town of Yountville provided the seed money, literally. A $700 grant was soon forthcoming that allowed them to buy seeds for a project where neighbors could nominate neighbors to receive fresh flowers. They named the project “Pay it Forward Flowers.”
Little did they know that within months, the COVID-19 pandemic would result in a lockdown that would frighten and isolate many town residents. Providing colorful bouquets to folks in town became an important way to spread some joy in troubled times.
I’ll never forget opening my front door when two cheerful young women wearing masks presented me with a beautiful arrangement of flowers. I later learned that Town Council member Kerri Dorman had nominated me to receive one of the first bouquets because of my volunteer work on the Napa County Mask Program. Ivy and Leslie asked me if there was anyone I’d like to nominate, and I immediately thought of Iren Jenny.
I didn’t know Iren personally at that time, but I felt the columns she wrote for the Yountville Sun were very uplifting. So, Iren became one of the next recipients, and she graciously contacted me with her thanks. We continued to communicate casually until the world opened up again and we arranged a dinner out with our husbands at La Calenda. The rest is a five-year history of a cherished friendship with the Jennys.
“Pay it Forward Flowers” eventually provided 150 bouquets to Yountville residents. It also became one of two projects, including the Book Barrel Project, to be part of what was called the “Happiness Grants.”
The Yountville Community Foundation is once again making “Happiness Grants” available for 2027 through the Imagine Yountville Grants program. Small grants between $250 to $2,500 will be awarded for projects that bring joy, information or learning to Yountville residents. Larger grants, upward of $2,500, will also be awarded for projects that meet the grant criteria. The 2026 grant application cycle began Sept. 17 and ends on Oct. 14.
Learn more on the Yountville Community Foundation website www.toycf.org or email toycf@yville.com. The YV Community Foundation wants to support your creative ideas, and maybe you, too, can make lasting friends in the process.
Myrna David serves on the board of the Yountville Community Foundation.
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