Enjoy volunteering in the Gardens the first and/or third Saturday mornings of the month and receive a  half-off coupon from Bacheesos (adjacent to the Gardens on the corner of Grand and Bellevue) for the restaurant’s popular Saturday Brunch Buffet featuring fabulous organic Mediterranean salads and entrees.

The Friends of the Gardens at Lake Merritt greatly appreciate Bacheesos’ restaurant owner Amirr Asli for supporting volunteerism in the gardens through this generous reward program.

Volunteers signing in at the Mediterranean Garden on the first Saturday of the month and/or the Sensory Garden on the third Saturday receive a coupon in return for their work. The coupon entitles the volunteer to a half-off  coupon for Bacheesos’  fabulous, organic Mediterranean Saturday buffet–that’s almost $5 off the price of the meal.

The program began in July and many volunteers have walked to the restaurant  after their morning volunteering in the Gardens.  All raved about the wonderful array of dishes offered at the brunch and a tasty and good time was had by all. Several liked the restaurant so much they have returned at other times of the week.

Volunteers signing in at the Mediterranean or Sensory Gardens, but who are assigned to work in other gardens such as the Rhododendron Garden or the Succulent Garden, will also be rewarded with the coupons. The program will continue through the end of October when it will be evaluated for continuation and possible augmentation. Friends of the Gardens look forward to an ongoing partnership with Mr. Asli and Bacheesos.

The Gardens welcome new volunteers. To volunteer, fill out the volunteer page http://gardensatlakemerritt.org/volunteer/, or simply join us on the first or third Saturday of each month between 9:am-noon.