Buttonwood Farm, Sunflowers for Wishes Charity, Griswold, Connecticut

Since 1975, Buttonwood Farm has been an active part of the Griswold community in Southeastern Connecticut.

Located near Hopeville Pond State Park and Pachuag State Forest, Buttonwood Farm is home to Buttonwood Farm Ice Cream and annual Sunflowers for Wishes charity event for Make-A-Wish Foundation!

Make-A-Wish Foundation incorporated in 1983. They pair children with serious medical diagnoses with a wish of their dreams such as a play date with a favorite Sesame Street character.

Other fundraisers held in Connecticut for the Make-A-Wish Foundation include:

• Annual Wings for Wishes held by J. Timothy's Taverne in Plainville, Connecticut. The second annual fundraiser will begin in August 2013.
• Annual Athan Kaloidis Memorial Golf Tournament at the Watertown Golf Club, in Watertown, Connecticut. The sixth annual fundraiser will be held in August 2013.
• Annual RV Jamboree held at Terryville Fairgrounds in Terryville, Connecticut. The fifteenth annual fundraiser will be held in September 2013.
• Celebrating Wishes Ball, to be held at the Greenwich Country Club, Greenwich, Connecticut, in November 2013.

Buttonwood Farm raised $30,000 at their first ever annual charity Sunflowers for Wishes event in 2004. Today, they are steadily raising between $90,000 and over $100,000 per year to help the Connecticut chapter of Make-A-Wish Foundation. It takes approximately $9,000 to help one child. A $100,000 donation to Make-A-Wish Foundation provides for 10 children!

There is a variety of fun things to do at Buttonwood Farm such as:

• Seven-acre corn maze
• Hayrides
• Pick your own pumpkins
• Cow train rides

Buttonwood Farm makes their own ice cream!

Some flavors favored among frequent customers include:

• Coconut ice cream with chocolate and almonds
• Black raspberry
• Blueberry
• Bubblegum with rainbow sprinkles
• Butter pecan
• Cherry vanilla
• Chocolate brownie batter
• Chocolate cherry
• Chocolate chip
• Coffee ice cream with peanut butter cups
• Cookie dough
• Cotton candy
• Maple walnut
• Mint chocolate chip
• Peach
• Peanut butter

and more!

There is also a selection of frozen yogurt and sorbet for other frozen experiences!

Buttonwood Farm posted another tremendous annual Sunflowers for Wishes success, raising over $90,000 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation at its tenth annual fundraiser this past July 2013!

A bouquet of sunflowers costs a $5 donation on a first-come first-serve basis.

It's truly an amazing event and worth a trip to Connecticut just to see it in person!

Hopeville Pond State Park in Griswold offers fishing, swimming, camping, bicycling, boating, and hiking from April through September every year.

Hopeville Pond was recognized in 1930 for it's 500 acres of recreational beauty.

There are 80 camping sites near the pond.

Greenfalls Recreation Area of the Pachaug State Forest offers camping, hiking, fishing and swimming.

There are 18 campsites available on a first come, first served basis with no reservations available.

Pachaug State Forest is located in Voluntown, Connecticut.

Some of the family-friendly activities supported by the State Forest are:

• Boating
• Camping
• Fishing
• Horse camping and horseback riding
• Motorcycling
• Mountain Biking
• Snowmobiling and Skiing

There is a 58-mile motorcycle trails open year round for visitors to Pachaug State Forest (except during mud season).

Connecticut is located on the East Coast of the United States.

Bordered by Rhode Island, New York, and Massachusetts, Connecticut is one of the smallest states of the 50 states in America.

Connecticut may lack in size, but the broad range of activities will no doubt leave little room for lack of fun!

If you are traveling to Connecticut for the Buttonwood Farm Sunflowers for Wishes annual event in July, you might also want to visit Six Paca Farm, in Bozrah, CT about 20 minutes from Griswold.

Guests can feed and pet the alpacas while learning about alpaca fur uses. There is a gift shop which sells alpaca fur products.

I've personally taken my own children to this farm and can tell you how much fun it truly is! The alpacas are friendly. The farm owners are genuinely interested in each visitor. It's a must on your list of fun things to do if you are traveling through this area!

Ten minutes outside of Griswold is a town called Lisbon.

Travelers can find a variety of familiar restaurants along the Lisbon Landing, over 500,000 square feet of shopping and dining.

At Lisbon Landing you will find a few popular chain restaurants such as Ruby Tuesday and Panera Bread.

There are other traditional pizzerias around Griswold and through the Town of Lisbon as well.

AmericInn Hotel is located in the Town of Griswold.

Some of the features include:

• Whirlpool and fireplace suites
• Guest laundry facilities
• Free breakfast
• Indoor pool
• Free high-speed internet
• Fitness center
• Business center
• Extended stay suites
• Kid friendly
• Pet friendly (call about details)

Sunflowers for Wishes was held from July 20 to July 28, 2013.

If you are planning a trip to Connecticut for July 2014, I have listed above all of the outdoor recreational attractions you may wish to include in your itinerary.

AmericInn Hotel in Griswold offers quality family-friendly rooms and free hot breakfasts! Some of the breakfast items include, waffles, biscuits and gravy, assorted breakfast meats, eggs, cereals, pastries, fruit, breads, and an assortment of beverages including coffee. Plus, an indoor pool for those hot summer Connecticut July days!

Don't forget to visit my friends over at Six Paca Farm and learn about alpaca farming.

Why not plan a trip around a worthy cause?

Visit Buttonwood Farm during their next annual Sunflowers for Wishes charity event. Come to Connecticut, support Make-a-Wish Foundation, have a sweet ice cream treat from Buttonwood Farm Ice Cream, and plan your vacation at one of the nearby campgrounds or AmericInn Hotel in Griswold.

You will be pleasantly surprised at the fun your whole family will enjoy in Connecticut next summer.