Garden Project Honors Essential Workers
The St. Mary’s County Health Department welcomed the renovation of the department’s courtyard garden at its main office in Leonardtown.
The renovation project was led by the Society Hill Garden Club of Breton Bay and the St. Mary’s County Garden Club to demonstrate appreciation for the local COVID-19 pandemic response.
The garden clubs contributed $1,500 and many hours of labor and secured a matching contribution from Chaney Enterprises to support the project. Volunteer gardeners from each organization designed, planted, and nurtured life into the courtyard garden.
The courtyard garden will be used by SMCHD for staff and community activities, events, and meetings. Garden tables were also dedicated by the health department in honor of the first responders, law enforcement, health care workers, and other essential workers that continued to serve the community throughout the pandemic. A magnolia tree was planted in memory of those St. Mary’s County residents whose lives were lost to COVID-19.
“We are beyond grateful for the stunning transformation our local garden clubs made to our health department courtyard.” said Dr. Meena Brewster, St. Mary’s County health officer. “In a year that has been extraordinarily difficult for our health department team, community partners, and county residents, this incredible act of kindness soothes our collective soul and symbolizes how the generous heart of St. Mary’s County still beats strong.”
“This garden represents the beauty of our community,” said Commissioner President Randy Guy. “In the hardest of times, we find ways to connect and support each other. While we will not soon forget the difficulties of the past year, we will continue to look for bright spots like this that reignite our hopes for a healthy future.”
A dedication ceremony for the garden project was held June 14, 2021.
