About Us
Margie’s Smile, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that was formed to build and maintain a garden for the enjoyment of children and their families. The garden will directly further the public and governmental purposes of Milwaukee County.
Inspired by the life of Margaret “Margie” Kezman, the vision of Margie’s Smile is to establish a garden where children and their families can come to learn, play, and engage with the beauty of nature. The organization is also driven to provide an environment which fosters the same selfless love, kindness, and compassion towards people and the natural world that Margie shared with all who knew her. Margie’s Smile, Inc. aspires to ignite her passion for life within the hearts of all who pass through the garden’s gate and wander its winding paths.
Who is Margie?
Margaret “Margie” Kezman's primary passions in life were family, her children, and gardening. Whether her own family and children, or those of friends or acquaintances, they always came first. In her spare time, Margie loved keeping her garden spaces pristine. Just as she cared for her family, she loved putting her heart and soul into growing and nurturing the plants within her garden.
Margie always put others before herself and saw the good in everything and everyone. Margie believed that in life, people should dig in the dirt, work, and experience life's lessons with their whole being and heart. Early in 2017, Margie was diagnosed with Stage 2 Triple Negative Breast Cancer. Despite her triple negative diagnosis, Margie was optimistic and determined to remain quadruple positive. She faced the disease and its treatments with courage and class, always continuing to see the beauty in people and in the world around her. Sadly, after courageously fighting with her entire mind and body, Margie passed away in 2019.
Forever inspired by how she lived her life, how she cared for others, and how she enjoyed her gardens, Margie's family now honors her memory by giving back to the community in a way that they think would make her SMILE!
Driven by Margie's passions, in 2021 the Kezman family organized Margie's Smile, Inc., a registered 501(c)(3), to work wholeheartedly with Milwaukee County to establish and maintain a place for children and their families to play, learn, and experience nature. Margie's Garden is a place where, even for a short time, families and children can leave the television and devices alone, get outside, and "dig in the dirt."
Margie's Garden
Margie’s Garden, the core mission of Margie’s Smile, Inc., is a whimsical, all-accessible, interactive children’s garden space located within Boerner Botanical Gardens at Whitnall Park in Hales Corners, Wisconsin.
Hours of Operation & Admission
May through August: 8am - 7pm*
September and October: 8am - 4pm
November through April: Closed for the season
*Margie's Garden will close at 4pm on concert nights and for select special events.
Margie's Garden is an extension of the Boerner Botanical Gardens experience. Admittance is included in the cost of general admission. There is no additional fee to enter the children's garden space.
Margie's Smile, Inc. does not profit from the cost of admission to Boerner Botanical Gardens. Fees are managed, collected by, and support the Milwaukee County Parks.
For more information on admission fees, please visit:
Engage With the Beauty of Nature on a Whole New Level
Pass through the gate and explore a garden unlike any other. Wander its winding paths surrounded by larger-than-life flowers and garden creatures. Sit in the bird's nest and play in the enchanted village. Sing the ABCs in the alphabet garden and seek out your favorite number in the numbers garden. Take a ride down the slides and play the sound makers in the pollinator garden.
Discover these magical moments and more with your family and friends!
For more information on visiting Margie's Garden
Please Visit Boerner Botanical Gardens
9400 Boerner Drive, Hales Corners, WI 53130
(414) 525-5600
Ways To Support
Whether you knew Margie or not, Margie's Garden is a special place. It will have a unique impact, meaning, and special memories for every visitor who passes through its gate. The Kezman Family is proud to present this gift to the community in honor and remembrance of Margaret Kezman. As we move forward, we would greatly appreciate your support of the Margie's Smile mission!
Support from people like you ensures that Margie's Garden can be maintained and preserved in a manner that would make Margie "smile" for generations to come. Your support is essential to our mission and your gift will go directly towards maintaining Margie's Garden.
We have partnered with the platform Givebutter to assist us with our fundraising efforts. This allows our donors to give securely using their preferred payment methods, such as Venmo, Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal, ACH, credit card, and more.
You can also select "Margies Smile Inc" as your favorite charity on Amazon Smile. Amazon will donate 0.5% of your eligible purchases to our mission - at no additional cost to you.
Visit smile.amazon.com for more information.
For more ways to contribute, please contact Margie's Smile, Inc. at donate@margiessmile.org or fill out the form below.
Thank you in advance for your support!
Margie’s Smile, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization, and your donation is tax-deductible within the guidelines of U.S. law.
EIN: 85-3514421
Donations may also be mailed to:
Margie's Smile, Inc.
P.O. Box 194
Greendale, WI 53129
Checks should be made out to: Margie's Smile, Inc.
