Helping Hands in the Garden is a volunteer organization consisting of people who love to play in the 'dirt'. Our focus is providing a way to 'pay it forward' to those battling cancer. Many of our volunteers have battled cancer or know someone dear who has. Founded with the intent to aid cancer patients during their treatment, when the comfort of a living environment will complement their medical treatment and recovery. Removing the stress of worrying about how a beloved garden will be cared for during a difficult treatment course also buoys spirits and aids recovery.
March 1, 2021
Dearest Volunteers and Clients,
A new year! We hope you are all being kind to yourselves during this difficult time in history. Knowing we lost dear ones this past year whether through Covid or other illnesses, has not made this time any easier to comprehend. Please just hug yourself and be grateful for our time, separate but together.
We were able to assist several families in 2020 with their gardens. The Fairfield County volunteers, under the guidance of Linda Fisher-Knicely, were able to work in several gardens. We were able to assist a family in Cincinnati through the generosity of a Cincinnati company, LTD Landscapes. Her sister-in-law discovered our website and called for guidance. Through landscape company contacts, we were able to have this company assist with this family.
But fresh ideas are needed for this year! While we cherish gardening and gatherings, perhaps we need to find more benevolent ways to focus our energy and money. With contact limited at this time, should we send notes to people in treatment? Include a gift of flowers for three months from a local floral shop, or $20 cash, bag of goodies(hand cream, crackers, footies, etc) or Zoom classes? As vaccines become more available to the population, our hope is we can once again work together. There will be changes made - haven't fully finished the list, but would include bringing your own beverages and snacks, HHG bucket for used items so proper cleaning will be done. Should HHG provide PPE for our volunteers? So many questions and items to consider.
With all this, for the past twelve years, HHG has made an impact on the community. A client from 2019 called and left a message for me in July 2020, a couple of days after my dad passed away. It was such a sweet message. She just wanted to know how I was doing and how much she truly appreciated our help during her treatment. We had a warm and comforting conversation. Nature works in amazing ways.
Please let me know what wonderfully new ideas you might have for celebrating our 12th year!
With love to all,
Elaine Euwer
Dearest Volunteers and Clients,
A new year! We hope you are all being kind to yourselves during this difficult time in history. Knowing we lost dear ones this past year whether through Covid or other illnesses, has not made this time any easier to comprehend. Please just hug yourself and be grateful for our time, separate but together.
We were able to assist several families in 2020 with their gardens. The Fairfield County volunteers, under the guidance of Linda Fisher-Knicely, were able to work in several gardens. We were able to assist a family in Cincinnati through the generosity of a Cincinnati company, LTD Landscapes. Her sister-in-law discovered our website and called for guidance. Through landscape company contacts, we were able to have this company assist with this family.
But fresh ideas are needed for this year! While we cherish gardening and gatherings, perhaps we need to find more benevolent ways to focus our energy and money. With contact limited at this time, should we send notes to people in treatment? Include a gift of flowers for three months from a local floral shop, or $20 cash, bag of goodies(hand cream, crackers, footies, etc) or Zoom classes? As vaccines become more available to the population, our hope is we can once again work together. There will be changes made - haven't fully finished the list, but would include bringing your own beverages and snacks, HHG bucket for used items so proper cleaning will be done. Should HHG provide PPE for our volunteers? So many questions and items to consider.
With all this, for the past twelve years, HHG has made an impact on the community. A client from 2019 called and left a message for me in July 2020, a couple of days after my dad passed away. It was such a sweet message. She just wanted to know how I was doing and how much she truly appreciated our help during her treatment. We had a warm and comforting conversation. Nature works in amazing ways.
Please let me know what wonderfully new ideas you might have for celebrating our 12th year!
With love to all,
Elaine Euwer
Created in 2009, Helping Hands in the Garden supports cancer patients during their treatment with the care of their gardens. Cancer patients have many concerns - they and their families do not need to worry about their gardens when there are dedicated volunteers willing to lend a hand. With 15 volunteers, we have assisted 1150 families with their gardens since 2009. Our volunteers include a team of dedicated people who love to weed, and cancer survivors. We have been richly rewarded by our many experiences.
Elaine Euwer
Founder
Elaine Euwer
Founder