Metrolina Greenhouses donated more than $1 million in 2024

Metrolina Greenhouses announced a record-breaking donation of more than $1 million to local charities and community initiatives in 2024.

In addition to $750,000 in regular charitable donations, Metrolina Greenhouses’ 2024 giving efforts included:

• $100,000 in Hurricane Helene relief efforts: Metrolina Greenhouses, led by its Community Outreach Committee, contributed $100,000 to various organizations, including Samaritan’s Purse, Angels and Sparrows, the Charlotte Tool Bank, Little Milligan Care and Share Programs, Mountain Ways, the FEAST fundraiser through Bountiful Cities and the Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project (ASAP).
• $100,000 from the Benevolent Fund & Community Outreach Committee: Metrolina’s Benevolent Fund provided financial assistance to employees facing personal challenges, while the Community Outreach Committee — a volunteer employee group — allocated additional funds, along with time and hands-on volunteer work, to local organizations dedicated to community development and support.
• $70,000 in college scholarships: Metrolina Greenhouses awarded $70,000 in scholarships in 2024 to employees’ family members pursuing higher education.

Metrolina also extended its support beyond monetary donations.

When one of its partner growers in western North Carolina was severely impacted by flood waters from Hurricane Helene, the company stepped in to grow and ship 100,000 poinsettias free of charge. The effort helped the partner operation restore its systems and prepare for the upcoming spring season.

"Everybody here helped with that in one way or another," said co-CEO Art VanWingerden, addressing the team at the year-end business meeting. "Whether you grew, spaced or shipped them, no matter what you did, everybody helps, and we can take pride in knowing that we helped another greenhouse get through this."

Many Metrolina employees also personally donated time, resources and funds, while others traveled to hurricane-affected areas to assist friends and family with recovery efforts.

"We are thankful for our employees’ efforts," said co-CEO Abe VanWingerden. "Their acts of kindness and resilience have been both moving and inspiring. Metrolina is more than a greenhouse — we’re a team rooted in compassion and committed to our community. We are grateful to our dedicated employees who helped make these initiatives possible. Together, we remain committed to helping our communities rebuild and thrive."

Established in 1972, Metrolina Greenhouses is a wholesale greenhouse producer of ornamental plants and services with two locations in Huntersville, North Carolina and York, South Carolina. It spans 1,000 acres, including more than 200 acres of greenhouses and 200 acres of outdoor growing space.

A privately owned company, Metrolina Greenhouses employs 2,400 people annually, including 800 full-time and 1,600 seasonal employees, and grows 70 million plants per year, serving more than 1,400 retail outlets for Lowe’s Home Improvement, The Home Depot and Walmart in 17 states. Metrolina also fulfills online orders for these retailers, shipping plants directly to consumers throughout the country.