On Monday, May 6, Heartland Hospice Moose Jaw’s palliative hospice care project at Pioneer Lodge broke ground to provide residents a memorable, just-like-home atmosphere during their end-of-life journey.
As part of the project, Heartland Hospice is looking to expand the adjacent outdoor Serenity Garden at the home – and they need your help.
“We plan to expand our garden onto the other side of Pioneer Lodge to where the new hospice rooms will be,” explained Connie Paul, a Heartland Hospice board member.
“And so, I’m thinking of putting some perennials in there, because they come back every year and you can get (a beautiful selection of plants and colours).”
To achieve this ambitious project, Heartland Hospice is asking for a few volunteers.
Currently there are around six confirmed volunteers with some returning helpers from last year and a few new faces this spring. With no target number in mind, Paul said anyone who wants to help will be appreciated.
“I’ll take whoever wants to help out, and as many as want to help out,” she confirmed.
To volunteer, all that’s required is the desire to help and a love of the outdoors. Other than that, individuals wishing to volunteer don’t require any formal background in gardening or horticulture.
“All you have to do is enjoy the peacefulness of the garden and just water the plants and make sure everything’s looking good,” she said.
Volunteers operate casually from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Paul said they try to avoid peak heat hours on exceptionally hot days, so those who prefer morning or afternoon shifts can pick and choose as they desire.
Duties will include refilling the fountain when it evaporates during warm stretches, pruning and maintaining planters, and the basic duties of weeding and tending to the plants during the summer.
The Serenity Garden at Pioneer Lodge is part of the ongoing hospice care project led by Heartland Hospice and provides a place for residents, workers, and families to go to spend some peaceful time among the fountain’s flowing water, fresh breeze, and beautifully coloured flowers.
“It’s part of our goal to have all the support that we can for the residents in the hospice care and their families,” Paul said. “(The Serenity Garden is) an extension that they can feel free to go out to and enjoy.”
To complete the expansion, Paul is also asking gardeners to donate a few perennial plants as they’re able, and it’s a great idea for anyone with leftover bulbs when they divide up their plants this spring.
Paul said she’ll accept any perennial plant that grows in Moose Jaw’s climate and said the more colour, the better.
“We get several compliments every year about the garden and how nice it is to be able to go out and enjoy. The workers use it, the residents will use it, and the families will use it, so it’s a great spot,” she concluded.
Pioneer Lodge is located at 1000 Albert Street and the home can be reached at 306-693-4616.
To learn more about Heartland Hospice and its work in the community, visit HeartlandHospiceMJ.ca or call 306-690-8699.
To volunteer your time or donate the gift of perennial flowers for the Serenity Garden project, contact Connie Paul at CPaul@hhmj.ca or call 306-630-6148.
