Vivienne Westerman didn’t have much experience in gardening, other than managing of her own patch of green at home.
But her organizational skills, plus the generosity of local landscaping and garden nurseries, managed to boost a donation to Rotary Hospice House.
Westerman, a member of the Rotary Club of Steveston, spearheaded the project to re-develop a large section of the close to half-an-acre back garden of the hospice, which celebrates its 10th anniversary this year.
“There was a large pond area with some fountains that had become very overgrown,” Westerman said. “In the summer time, the grass and weeds would get four or five feet high.”
Despite that, she felt it could become a beautiful space and decided to get involved with transforming it.
“I was working as a volunteer on some of the big (flower) beds nearer the hospice building, and the families using the hospice would come out and say what a peaceful haven the garden was for them,” she said, “because they were in very difficult circumstances inside.”
With only a scattering of benches dotted around the perimeter of the garden, Westerman looked over at the old pond site and envisioned a special retreat.
Work started in January after funding of $25,000 from the rotary club and Salvation Army, which runs the facility, was secured. Then Westerman went about canvassing local businesses to see how they could play a role in making the funds stretch as far as possible.
Plus, she became aware of the needs within the hospice. And that encouraged her to try and have some of the funding left over to go towards those areas.
“The house is 10 years old and there are things that are wearing out, and items the residents and their families need,” she said.
Armed with a garden plan she got help with from professional landscapers, Westerman made the rounds of local firms who were more than happy to lend a hand, donating much of their services and supplies.
In total, Westerman spent just $5,000, leaving $20,000 for the hospice house. Providing the muscle to help establish the new garden plan were members of Westerman’s rotary club.
“I think I only ended up spending money on the water features and some plants. Pretty much everything else was donated,” she said. “They (businesses) were all very generous, especially those who knew something about the hospice. It was lovely.”
Those making donations included: BC Brick, Home Depot, La Farge, Northwest Landscape, NuGreen, Phoenix Perennials, Save on Electrical Limited, TKY Gardens, and TSC Nursery.
In came decorative rocks, crushed gravel, wooden benches, plants and solar garden lights for a low-maintenance area with a couple of bubbling water features that provide a peaceful space that has already attracted hummingbirds and wild canaries.
“It’s designed for all-round colours, too, with azaleas and heather at the front beds, so when it’s spring time and there’s nothing in the main flower beds people will be able to see colour,” Westerman said.
Work on the garden wrapped up a few weeks ago.
“It’s turned out really well,” said Maj. Juan Burry, executive director of Rotary Hospice House. “Vivian had a great idea of what it should look like. We wanted something that would be easy to maintain and be a nice, tranquil place for our residents go and spend some time. And Vivian has surely made that happen with the work she’s done, along with her group of volunteers.”
Some of the money saved on the project will be used to recover recliners used by family members to sleep on as they accompany the hospice residents in their rooms, as well as medical monitoring equipment.
Armed with a garden plan she devised with help from professional landscapers, Westerman made the rounds of local firms who were more than happy to lend a hand, donating much of their services and supplies.
In total, Westerman spent just $5,000, leaving $20,000 for the hospice house. Providing the muscle to help establish the new garden plan were members of Westerman’s rotary club.
“I think I only ended up spending money on the water features and some plants. Pretty much everything else was donated,” she said. “They (businesses) were all very generous, especially those who knew something about the hospice. It was lovely.”
Those making donations included: BC Brick, Home Depot, La Farge, Northwest Landscape, NuGreen, Phoenix Perennials, Save on Electrical Limited, TKY Gardens, and TSC Nursery.
In came decorative rocks, crushed gravel, wooden benches, plants and solar garden lights for a low-maintenance area with a couple of bubbling water features that provide a peaceful space that has already attracted hummingbirds and wild canaries.
“It’s designed for all-round colours, too, with azaleas and heather at the front beds, so when it’s spring time and there’s nothing in the main flower beds people will be able to see colour,” Westerman said.
Work on the garden wrapped up a few weeks ago.
“It’s turned out really well,” said Maj. Juan Burry, executive director of Rotary Hospice House. “Vivian had a great idea of what it should look like. We wanted something that would be easy to maintain and be a nice, tranquil place for our residents to go and spend some time. And Vivian has surely made that happen with the work she’s done, along with her group of volunteers.”
Some of the money saved on the project will be used to recover recliners used by family members to sleep on as they accompany the hospice residents in their rooms, as well as medical monitoring equipment.
