Harrah’s Entertainment a growing need

Horticulture therapy, other Botanic Garden programs reaping fruit of generosity

Corporate Giving story for The Commercial Appeal

May 1, 2009

For the fifth consecutive year, Harrah’s Entertainment has partnered with Memphis Botanic Garden to give its outreach programs what they need to grow and flower. Harrah’s recently donated $25,000 for the 2009 Live at the Garden concerts, a series of five live music shows held in the Eden of East Memphis.

This year’s lineup begins with alt-rockers Train on June 5, followed on June 18 with a performance by ’70s rockers the Doobie Brothers. Joe Cocker will take the stage on July 18; Heart will appear on Aug. 15; and the program will close with a performance by ’60s pop favorites The Moody Blues on Sept. 4.

“The concert revenue goes to offset the overall operating expenses at the garden,” Jim Duncan, executive director of Memphis Botanic Garden, said. Last year, more than 33,000 attended concerts in the five-show series … (read more)