Dedication Redefined - The Jennifer Phillips Story

 “Individual commitment to a group effort – that is what makes a team work, a company work, a society work, a civilization work.” -Vince Lombardi

Jennifer Phillips has been volunteering for The Gardens at the Spring Plant Sale since 2007 in the loading zone, working with "Loading Legend" Harold Deason. And that's where she's been ever since. "It’s a no-brainer…you just say 'can I take your plants?'"

Jennifer says she "met many 'good people' during that first year at the Spring Plant Sale" Although she says she likes the behind-the-scenes work, she was up front and center directing traffic amidst multiple volunteers and patrons all day every day of the sale!


As a mother of five, Jennifer's used to chaos. When Harold asked her to chair the loading zone this year, she said yes without hesitation. Already the proud grandmother of two-year old Maggie, Jennifer got a surprise appearance from granddaughter number two! On Saturday, April 17 Jennifer called our Volunteer Coordinator, Mary-Bestor, at 8 a.m. to tell her that her daughter had gone into labor late Friday night. "But," she informed Mary-Bestor, "I'll be in to work as soon as as possible!" Molly Victoria was born at 9 a.m. on that Saturday. Jennifer reported for loading duty at an astonishing 10 a.m.!

'Nano,' as she is affectionately called by her girls, is a self-described "plant-nut," just like her grandmother before her. Jennifer's current favorite plant is hydrangea. In her "free time" (if you can call it that!) Jennifer is currently planning her youngest child's wedding, which is slated for May 15 in Guntersville, AL. While she's not busy with that, Jennifer's got her work cut out for her planting her new Japanese Maple, hydrangeas, wildflowers and herbs that she bought at the Spring Plant Sale.

Here's to Jennifer Phillips and her family, redefining what it means to be a dedicated volunteer! The world needs more people like you!