How You Can Help

If you like what we're doing, there are several ways you can help

Financial Support

Pelatantheria insectifera. Photo by Eric Hunt.

Even though we are all volunteers, operating our organization and producing our sale events is costly. Our goal is to cover all of our expenses with financial donations so that every dollar we raise through our plant sales can go directly to the organizations which need it badly. For example, our Mothers Day weekend sale costs about $8,000 to produce. Our expenses include advertising, airfreight, equipment rental, greenhouse supplies, postage and other production expenses. Your tax-deductible gift will help us achieve this goal help assure our ongoing success.

Our greenhouse is the center of our volunteer activities and educational programs, and home to our collection of endangered species. Rent and heating along cost us about $6500 a year. You may earmark your gift for this purpose.

By the way, by donating plants or money you join Friends of OrchidMania and receive privileges, invitations and maybe even cool gifts.

Join "Friends of OrchidMania"

Some of our classes, sales and other events are by invitation only. Join our list of Friends and you will receive special privileges and maybe even gifts from us!

Plant Donations

We need donations of healthy, live orchid plants of all kinds, and we accept donations from individuals and nurseries. Your donations are used to raise money for our HIV/AIDS charities.

Commercial orchid growers can join our directory of orchid nurseries by making a plant donation. We can also use cut flowers. Unfortunately, we are not able to use gift certificates. Seedlings are difficult to sell. Naturally, plants in bud or in flower bring us more money. San Francisco orchid enthusiasts are among the most knowledgeable in the world, and species are especially welcome. If you can donate plants, we will send you shipping instructions on request.

Volunteer Opportunities

Do you love orchids, have a little bit of experience and live in the San Francisco Bay Area, South Florida, Ann Arbor, or the Melbourne, Australia area? Want to do something about AIDS? Do you want to learn more about orchid-growing and meet people who share your interests? OrchidMania needs volunteers who are willing to commit time and effort on a regular basis.

Start an OrchidMania Chapter in Your City

If you like the OrchidMania idea, we will help you establish a sister organization in your own city. Not only does OrchidMania give people a comfortable way to do something about AIDS in their community, it promotes orchid growing and provides educational and social opportunities for people who love orchids. Make no mistake, operating an organization like ours requires incredible dedication and hard work. But the personal rewards are enormous. If you are up to the challenge, we can give you the benefit of our experience.

This is why OrchidMania's volunteers work so hard to raise money for the HIV prevention and AIDS victim relief efforts of grassroots organizations around the world: