McKee Botanical Garden was abuzz with excitement at the annual invitational Gatekeepers Dinner last Wednesday evening, with much to celebrate as nearly 100 of McKee’s top donors were thanked for their support and heard about exciting recent developments.

“This is one of the most exciting days I can remember at McKee Botanical Garden,” said Matt McManus, board president. “Tonight’s all about you. There are a lot of different stakeholders at McKee, but none of that would happen without the Gatekeepers. In my opinion, it’s the cornerstone of making this place tick.”

Earlier in the day, McKee hosted a groundbreaking ceremony for the Children’s Garden, a dedicated space for children to interact and discover nature. Christine Hobart, executive director, said the projected year-long construction would begin in January and added they have raised $4.8 of the $7.5 million needed.

“It’s very humbling for me to be here tonight in such an amazing building and to realize the labor of passion and commitment that you all bring to keeping this place alive,” shared Emmanuel Didier, Children’s Garden architect. “A garden can be lost so easily. Just a few years of not caring for it and you could have everything disappear.”

“It’s very exciting. This will bring more people into the garden so they can get an appreciation of nature, particularly the children,” said John Schumann.

An eagle from the new ‘It’s a Jungle out There’ sculpture exhibit kept a watchful eye over the evening’s festivities from his perch atop the Spanish Kitchen, where guests enjoyed cocktails and hors d’oeuvres before sitting down to a catered dinner by Elizabeth Kennedy & Company in the historic Hall of Giants.

“As Gatekeepers of the garden you are crucial to our continued success,” said Hobart. “Through your commitment, financial support and ambassadorship McKee continues to be one of the most treasured destinations in our community.”

Holidays at McKee begins Dec. 20 with twinkling lights and holiday decorations scattered among the lush foliage, the famed model train display and visits from Santa. For more information, visit mckeegarden.org.