VA Bedford debuts Adopt-a-Garden volunteer program
BEDFORD, Massachusetts—Voluntary Service at VA Bedford Healthcare System is rolling out Adopt-a-Garden, a new volunteer program that gives the gift of beauty to inpatient Veterans.
Volunteers who adopt a garden will prepare, plant, and maintain their chosen spot on the Bedford campus throughout the gardening season in areas that our inpatient Veterans may enjoy.
Individuals, families, civic groups, corporations, and service organizations may all adopt gardens. At each adopted garden, volunteers plant annuals and perennials, mulch, feed, water, and weed the space on their schedule.
There are several types of gardens that can be adopted, including raised box gardens, flagpole bases, sensory gardens, gazebo flower boxes, vegetable gardens, and more. Of special interest are the raised garden beds in the yard of VA Bedford’s specialized memory care units.
Each season, Voluntary Service will add a plaque to each garden with the name of its gardener, who has the opportunity to design a joyful place for our Veterans and their visiting loved ones. Backup help is available for weeks volunteers are away.
Volunteers interested in the Adopt-A-Garden program may can contact Voluntary Service at 781-687-3076 or by email at vhabedvoluntaryservice@va.gov.