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'Garden of Hope' is designed for comfort
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Akron Children’s Hospital Mahoning Valley’s Garden of Hope is graced with a waterfalls. The garden, located in an enclosed courtyard area at the Beeghly Campus on Market Street, Boardman, is funded through philanthropic donations.
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Kim Esposito of Warren, her son, Santino, 3, left and two other children, Liam Murphy, 6, kneeling, and Aidan Murphy, 8, check out donor bricks at Akron Children’s Hospital Mahoning Valley’s recently dedicated Garden of Hope in Boardman.
BOARDMAN
Akron Children’s Hospital Mahoning Valley Children’s “Garden of Hope” is designed to provide patients, their families and others a comforting place to visit, reflect, heal and find solace, hospital officials said.
The Garden of Hope, on the hospital’s Beeghly Campus at 6505 Market St., was dedicated earlier this week .
Fully funded through philanthropic donations, the Garden of Hope, located in an enclosed courtyard area adjacent to the registration lobby in Building B, includes a “stone patio, a waterfall, teak benches, lush landscaping and a beautiful bronze sculpture,” said JoAnne Stock, director of development at Akron Children’s Hospital Mahoning Valley.
The patio area in the garden is lined with personalized, engraved pavers designed to remember individuals and families. Each paver has been inscribed as the donor wishes, in honor, in celebration, or in memory of a special child or other loved one or to symbolize thanks from patients and families for care received, Stock said.
To date, 80 donors have contributed more than $74,000 toward the project for which ground was broken June 23, 2010. Initial funding was provided through a lead gift from the Mahoning County Medical Society Alliance.
A limited number of pavers and other naming opportunities still are available, said Stock. Those interested should contact her at 330-746-9122 for more information.
“The Garden of Hope is a permanent, lasting recognition of commitment to volunteerism and to the children and families of our community. Our wish is that it is a peaceful haven for all who visit for generations to come at Akron Children’s Hospital Mahoning Valley,” said Carol Sankovic of the Mahoning County Medical Society Alliance.
“The garden signifies the hope that is alive at Akron Children’s Hospital Mahoning Valley. It is also a beautiful testament to the commitment that you, our donors have to the children of the Mahoning Valley and we thank you,” said William H. Considine, president and chief executive officer.