Believe it: Describe your project/org

Build it: Steps taken to create the project/org and the kind of impact made

Vital Stats

Started On:	April 1, 2008	Ended On:	April 30, 2008
People Involved:	36	People Impacted:	22,000
Money Raised:	$900

Believe it: Describe your project/org

Build it: Steps taken to create the project/org and the kind of impact made

Vital Stats

Started On:	Now	Ended On:	November 11, 2007
People Involved:		People Impacted:
Money Raised:

Believe it: Describe your project/org

Build it: Steps taken to create the project/org and the kind of impact made

Vital Stats

Started On:	Monday, October 8 2007	Ended On:
People Involved:		People Impacted:
Money Raised:

Believe it: Describe your project/org

The city of Las Cruces is a relatively small, tight-knitted society that has a very high quality medical community within it. However, the focus for receiving medical care is focused toward research at the university and hospitals. Almost zero attention is given to patients that have terminal illnesses. Patients of all ages often spend the remainder of their days in a single room at the one hospice in Las Cruces or at home with specialized medical care and attention. The Mesilla Valley Hospice of Las Cruces does its best to provide these patients with nourishment, care, and medicine, but as a non profit organization, their contributions are limited, especially in terms of providing additional atmospheres for family interaction in an outdoor setting. By building a butterfly garden for Mesilla Valley Hospice, we hope to provide a sanctuary for patients, as well as their families. A research study at Texas A&M University found that, “patients have consistently shown that simply looking at environments dominated by greenery…is significantly more effective in promoting recovery or restoration from stress.” (Health Benefits of Gardens in Hospitals, Roger S. Ulrich, Ph.D.) The study further observed that the calmness people felt after being exposed to nature lowered health hazards such as high blood pressure and respiratory stress. Another study surveyed that 79% of 143 users felt more relaxed and calmer after spending time in a garden (Cooper Marcus, C. and M. Barnes, 1995). 25% felt stronger and refreshed; and 22% were able to think and cope. We feel that we are the right people to address this issue because of our passion to assist the hospice patients, as we have had loved ones go through the hospice program. We also have the drive to complete the project and address this issue which has been ignored. What was before an enclosed patio for smoking is now in the process of becoming one of the first healing gardens in Las Cruces, NM. This project has not only created a network of youth for future projects, but has also tied together young and old to help out those in need. I feel that through donors, workers, and local advocates, my project has also tied together our community as a whole. This garden will benefit countless people, including the staff, patients, and families of those at Hospice by giving them a peaceful place in which to spend time with loved ones before they pass on. The garden will provide the appropriate plants for all of the life needs of many native butterflies. Twelve specific species are the target butterflies, but the plants will also attract many other local butterflies. The variety of plants proposed for the garden provides a colorful mixture as well as shade. The plants vary from herbs, to wildflowers, to shade trees and specialized vines. The garden has wheelchair access, and is available for use by all patients, family, and many others. Benches are strategically placed for conversation in groups as well as in private areas, and are also placed in areas of both shade and sun. We have chosen to use raised garden beds to maximize planting area in the minimal space. These beds are also more water efficient, and are watered with a drip system. We have followed as many of the guidelines for a healing garden as possible, given the location and size of the garden. This garden is also unique because it is not exclusively a Girl Scout project. While it is being led by Girl Scouts, it involves many other organizations. The Boy Scouts have built a shade structure, and members of three high schools have also assisted in the building of the benches and planters. These high school students are members of the band, choir, Honor Society, orchestra, FFA, theater, softball, and cross country teams at their schools. Our project addresses the aforementioned issue by bringing together youth to provide a healing garden that will relieve stress and provide numerous health benefits to the terminally ill located at Mesilla Valley Hospice, as well as encouraging native species of butterflies.

Build it: Steps taken to create the project/org and the kind of impact made

I had already designed the garden prior to receiving the grant money, but once funding was available, my partner Kim and I were able to actually begin putting things together. We had spoken with a manager at Home Depot about donations, and we spent an entire afternoon shopping for the supplies that Home Depot was not able to donate at the time. We purchased 5 park benches with the grant money, as well as the drip system for watering the garden. Home Depot donated all of the garden wall retainers and cinder block that was needed. Kim and I also purchased the fountain and the lattice arch at Lowes. The next week was our spring break, so we gathered a work crew and began our work that Monday. In the first day alone, we were able to complete the masonry work, assemble the benches, and assemble the arch for the garden entrance. The next day, we met with a local nursery, who gladly donated the soil to fill the planters. On Wednesday, we picked up 2 ½ tons of soil, and filled the planters. After 9 hours of work, the garden was prepped for planting and the drip system was installed. We have not been able to plant yet, but the garden is on track to be opened this month! This project has not only created a network of youth for future projects, but has also tied together young and old to help out those in need. I feel that through donors, workers, and local advocates, my project has also tied together our community as a whole. This garden will benefit countless people, including the staff, patients, and families of those at Hospice by giving them a peaceful place in which to spend time with loved ones before they pass on.

Vital Stats

Started On:	3-17-08	Ended On:
People Involved:	about 20 including workers and donors as well as advisors	People Impacted:	not numerated
Money Raised:	1715.75