Green thumbs, outdoor enthusiasts, sponsors and volunteers recently gathered to celebrate the “Summer Finale” of the 2017 West Seattle Garden Tour.

The air was particularly festive on Sunday evening, July 30, as event organizers made a special announcement.

“It’s been a banner year for us,” Jan Clow, president of the group, said. “This year, we’re donating the largest amount we have ever given in a single year.”

The tour raised $26,800 to benefit six nonprofits -- City Fruit, Seattle Children’s PlayGarden, West Seattle Bee Garden, One Reel / Pianos in the Parks, Delridge Neighborhoods Development Association and ArtsWest.

A representative from each organization attended the Summer Finale to speak about what the donations will mean for them.

“We almost fainted we were so happy,” Willard Brown, with the Delridge Neighborhoods Development Association, said.

He said the West Seattle Garden Tour’s donation will be used to restore and protect wetland habitat in the Delrdige neighborhood – and create outdoor learning opportunities for local students.

Krista Conner, with the West Seattle Bee Garden, said the gift will go toward improvements to the bee shed and to help the nonprofit host field trips and events.

“We really appreciate the support of the garden tour,” she said.

In its 23-year history, the West Seattle Garden Tour has donated a total of $377,514 to local non-profits in support of their horticultural, educational and artistic missions.

Clow explained that the event was different this year for a number of reasons.

First, the tour was held about a month earlier than its usual timeslot for previous years.

In addition, the West Seattle Garden Tour sold a record number of raffle tickets – and for the first time sold them online as well as in person.

The group also recently created a newsletter and blog, complete with helpful tips.

Clow said the organization has already begun planning its next tour, slated for June 24, 2018.

“We just don’t ever stop,” she said. “The tour is organized by a group of dedicated volunteers who meet year-round. It takes a village.”

To learn more about the West Seattle Garden Tour, visit www.westseattlegardentour.org.