Members of the Glad Garden Club gathered at Emanuel County Medical Center to host a tree planting ceremony on National Arbor Day, April 30, to remember the county’s number of losses and survivors affected by Covid-19. A white Dogwood was planted in front of the medical center to honor and to memorialize these individuals and their family members. Arbor Day is celebrated at different times around the country in accordance with survival zones. Georgia’s Arbor Day is the third Friday in February. National Arbor Day is commonly the last day in April. Trees are necessary for life itself. They clean our air, protect our drinking water, prevent soil erosion, create healthy communities, and feed the human soul. It is said that babies born in places with more trees are less likely to be underweight. Office workers who have a view of trees have reported having more job satisfaction and less stress. Properly spacing trees arounds buildings and reduce energy consumption by 20-50 percent.
Ceremonies began with a prayer and a pledge to our flag led by Jim Harrell, Pastor of Nunez Baptist Church. A welcome was given by Damien Scott, CEO of Emanuel Medical Center. Scott gave a brief history of the county’s fight with Covid-19 and how the 420 employees at the hospital have worked tirelessly for over a year now. True heroes are employed here. The club was very proud to have Mayor Charles Schwabe offer words of encouragement not only regarding the conquering of Covid-19, but in support of the activities of the garden club. The Glad Garden Club is extremely indebted to not only the mayor but his lovely wife, Jean, for their support over the years.
The club usually meets at the Sudie A. Fulford Community Learning Center on the campus of East Georgia College, and, for years, Jean has been there to support club members and always greeted them with a warm smile and a pot of coffee. Jean recently retired from the center and she, along with her kind words and support of all our projects, will be missed.
Members present were Carolyn Brown and husband, Von, JoAnn Trammell, Jeanette Hall, Audrey West, Margaret Sweet and husband, Patrick, Gloria Mason and Glad Garden Club’s newest member, BeeBee Connell. Perhaps the highlight of the program was a presentation by Covid survivor Frances F. Cross who gave a spellbinding recollection of what her Covid experience was like. She also expressed her gratitude for all the excellent care received while hospitalized in Emanuel Medical Center.
