Special to Iredell Free News
The Board of Directors of Hospice & Palliative Care of Iredell County, along with HPCIC staff and donors gathered outside the S. Mitchell Mach Hospice House in Mooresville on Monday to dedicate the new Sacred Garden. The event included a short ceremony and butterfly release.
The garden serves as a calm and peaceful place for patients, families, and the community to enjoy.
“This Sacred Garden will serve as a way for patients and families to have a tranquil and relaxing place to reflect and recharge during what can be a challenging time,” said Charles Ashe, chief compliance & administrative officer. “It has been an honor to work with Watt Landscaping and Darrell Watt again. We are incredibly thankful for his dedication to this beautiful project.”
The garden features a paved walking trail and benches to rest and reflect. The garden features a moving waterfall, bridge, gazebo, fountain and statue, along with a paved walking trail and benches to rest and reflect. It is accessible by wheelchair or even a patient in a hospital bed.
The garden would not have been possible without the kindness of several donors, including Dr. Jane Testerman and family, Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Shoe, Mr. and Mrs. David Green, Mr. and Mrs. Erskine Smith, Julie Crandell, and Joe LaFave and family, who donated and built the beautiful gazebo in memory of Patricia LaFave.
“HPCIC has accomplished many achievements during this past year and most notably is the improved access to care for our Mooresville community with the S. Mitchell Mack Hospice House,” said Mike Smith, president and CEO of the nonprofit. “Since serving our first patient in September 2021, nearly 200 patients have been cared for here at MHH. This garden will serve as an added layer of comfort for all patients and those who visit patients here.”
The garden also offers a beautiful way for families to honor their loved ones with several naming opportunities. Opportunities include engraved paver stones, a donor wall, and a limited number of benches and trees. If you want more information about naming opportunities in the MHH Sacred Garden, please get in touch with Mindy Rice at 704-873-4719 or mindyr@hoic.org.
