Beacon Impatiens Makes Donation to OI Foundation
The team behind the launch of Beacon Impatiens recently donated of a portion of its 2019-2020 global seed sales to The OI Foundation, the charity organization that brings awareness and support to those living with and affected by osteogenesis imperfecta (brittle bone disease).
At a private Sept. 8 ceremony in The Gardens at Ball in West Chicago, Illinois, PanAmerican Seed Global Director of Sales Sean Valk presented a check in the amount of $55,943 to Tony Benish, a long-time volunteer and past board member of The OI Foundation.
OI is a genetic bone disorder characterized by fragile bones that break easily, affecting approximately 25,000 to 50,000 people in the United States alone. The OI Foundation strives to “improve the quality of life for those living with OI through research, education, awareness and mutual support.”
Beacon Impatiens, a series of I. walleriana with proven high resistance to Impatiens downy mildew, launched with much anticipation from the horticulture industry earlier this year.
As part of an ongoing outreach campaign to bring flower-filled enjoyment back to shade gardens everywhere, PanAmerican Seed has committed to donating a percentage of its global seed sales to “shine the light” on less-widely known charitable organizations.
“This was a monumental introduction year for Beacon Impatiens, and PanAmerican Seed is very proud to share our success with such a worthy organization like The OI Foundation,” says Valk. “We will continue our efforts to find garden and grower solutions for the industry, and each year we look forward to partnering with charities hoping to make a difference as well.”
A new charity will be announced soon for the 2020-2021 sales season. For more information about Beacon Impatiens, explore www.beaconimpatiens.com.
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