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Effingham, IL 62401
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to support Healing Garden Offering peace and serenity to patients, families, hospital staff and community December 2007 |
 The Friends of St. Anthony’s recently launched their 2007 Annual Appeal to raise funds for a Healing Garden for patients, families, staff and the community.Healing Gardens Healing gardens in a healthcare setting allow patients and visitors to have a place to rejuvenate and restore one’s mental and emotional health. Gardens foster stress recovery, evoke positive feelings, reduce negative emotions, and help block or reduce stressful thoughts. Having a garden to view often leads to shorter post-operative stays, less pain medication, and fewer minor post-operative complications for surgical patients. St. Anthony’s Healing Garden The Healing Garden is to be located in the area between the Southeast Building and the Chapel. The Healing Garden will include a winding, wheelchair-accessible path, benches and lush plants to ensure privacy and serenity for those visiting the area. Water features may be incorporated to add a soothing, meditative element. Statuary is located throughout the hospital grounds as reminders of our Christian heritage and history. Additional statuary will be purchased to add to the spirituality of the garden. In addition, in the design of The Healing Garden, consideration will be given to improving access to the Grotto. St. Anthony’s Grotto is a replica of the Grotto at Lourdes in France, which was originally built in the early 1960s and was re-dedicated in 2001. In the past, the Grotto offered a serene, outdoor area for relaxation and reflection. The Healing Garden will enhance St. Anthony’s ministry of healing by providing an outdoor healing garden for patients, visitors, staff and the community. This therapeutic environment will provide an area of sanctuary and solace for all who wish to visit it, whether they are a patient at the hospital or a community member who needs a quiet place for contemplation. Utilizing a harmonious balance between body and mind, The Healing Garden will be designed to stimulate one’s visual and auditory senses through the choice of plants, sound and color. With a pleasing array of perennials, shrubbery, and trees, the garden can be enjoyed throughout the seasons. Planting a Seed The Hospital Sisters of St. Francis have always understood the connection between spiritual health and physical health, and thereby offer their support to efforts that strengthen that bond. Their support for this project is evident in their contribution of a lead gift of $100,000 towards the development of The Healing Garden. This lead gift is the seed towards creating The Healing Garden, but additional gifts will help this seed grow. All gifts beyond $100,000 will allow St. Anthony’s to enhance and possibly expand the settings of the garden. Making the Seed Grow Contributions are being accepted towards the Friends 2007 Annual Appeal for The Healing Garden. For gifts over $100, donors will have the opportunity to participate in the Commemorative Paver program. A winding pathway through The Healing Garden will be made up of different sized bricks called pavers. The pavers can be engraved to honor or memorialize a family member, friend or loved one. For more information about The Healing Garden or the Commemorative Paver program, contact Donna Niemerg, Development Associate, at 347-1854.
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