 Landscape Ontario celebrates frontline heroes This summer, Landscape Ontario launched the Garden Makeover Program as a way to recognize the dedication of frontline workers across the province. The association received over 1,000 nominations from friends, neighbours, patients and family members, who shared incredible stories of selflessness, devotion and compassion. Landscape Ontario is proud to announce the 10 frontline heroes who will receive garden makeovers. Over the coming weeks, Landscape Ontario professional members will be consulting with the winners to create plans suited to each hero’s lifestyle. The projects will be completed this fall or next spring, thanks to generous donations from Landscape Ontario member companies. We’d love for local media to share these amazing stories. Reach out to Scott Barber if you’d like to learn more. |
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| $25,000 Garden Makeover (one winner) | ||
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Sandra Lister, Pefferlaw, Ont. A Registered Nurse (RN) at Toronto Western Hospital with over two decades experience, Sandra worked on both a SARS unit in 2003 and a Covid-19 unit this year. Sandra contracted Covid-19 in April, but showed extraordinary dedication by returning to work after making a full recovery. An avid gardener, Sandra is the mother of five children. |
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| $5,000 Garden Makeovers (nine winners) | ||
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Jada Parcells, Bowmanville, Ont. Jada has worked as a nurse at Markham Stouffville Hospital for more than 20 years, and has served as team lead for its Covid-19 Assessment Centre since the outbreak began in March. In the spring, Jada stepped in to help at Markham’s Participation House after a Covid-19 outbreak spread through all of the home’s residents and staff members. A mother of two, Jada is passionate about gardening. |
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Sandra Best, Orillia, Ont. Sandra works at the David Busby Centre, a community not-for-profit organization, which advocates for individuals and families within the County of Simcoe who are experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness. Sandra has worked tirelessly during the pandemic to support people facing tremendous challenges. Sandra’s garden is “her escape and her happy place.” |
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Rebecca Davis, Grimsby, Ont. An ICU nurse at Credit Valley Hospital in Mississauga, Ont., for over 20 years, Rebecca is a breast cancer survivor, who had just recently returned to work following cancer treatment when the pandemic struck in March. Rebecca lives with her husband Ed who is also a nurse, and their two children. Rebecca says after taking two years off from really looking after their garden, they could definitely use some assistance — something the couple is so used to giving others each and every day. |
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Lisa Fernandes, St. Thomas, Ont. Lisa is a Personal Support Worker at Caressant Care Mary Bucke in St. Thomas, Ont., — a place she calls her second home. To Fernandes, colleagues and residents are family. During the pandemic, Lisa has done everything she can to support her work family — even letting a younger colleague stay at her home to help minimize the risk to the colleague’s family. Lisa loves spending time in her backyard with Bruno and Sasha, her Italian mastiff/boxers. |
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Elise and Marc-Andre Da Ponti, Clarence-Rockland, Ont. Frontline workers, Elise and Marc-Andre took on extra work to support their communities during the pandemic, often working on call and extended 16 hour shifts. Elise is a nurse in the ICU at Ottawa General Hospital, and Marc-Andre works as a paramedic for the City of Ottawa. With an upcoming move into a new home, the couple are excited for help with their outdoor space from Landscape Ontario professionals. |
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Alison Fletcher, Pefferlaw, Ont. Alison does housekeeping and laundry at River Glen Haven Nursing Home in Sutton, Ont. Unfortunately, an outbreak at the home was fatal for a number of residents. Alison kept working to support the residents, even as she moved into a hotel to protect her own family. Alison is an avid gardener who is very thankful for the recognition from Landscape Ontario. |
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Alexis Wakeland, Gananoque, Ont. Alexis is a Personal Support Worker at Carveth Care Centre in Gananoque, Ont. where she “goes beyond the call of duty,” according to her nomination. A single mom and dedicated minor hockey volunteer, Alexis has taken on extra work to support patients during the pandemic. |
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Jessica Graff, Kitchener, Ont. A nurse in the Emergency Department at St. Mary’s General Hospital in Kitchener, Ont. since 2006, Jessica is dedicated to her profession and says her favourite part of her job is making connections with patients and helping support people in their times of greatest need. Unfortunately, Jessica lost two family members to Covid-19, both of which became patients at St. Mary’s before they passed. However, Jessica remains steadfast in her determination to serve her community during the pandemic. |
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Laura and Brad Renaud pay it forward to Megan and Dan Monk, Amherstburg, Ont. Laura (pharmacy technician) and Brad Renaud (volunteer firefighter) are dedicated frontline workers who made the selfless decision to pay the garden makeover forward to firefighter colleague Dan Monk and his wife Megan during a time of great stress for the Monk family. Megan was recently diagnosed with an advanced stage of cancer, and the firefighter community in Amherstburg has rallied to support her. Dan and Megan are parents to newborn Cid and four year old Freya. |
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Landscape Ontario Horticultural Trades Association Contact us at 800-265-5656 | 7856 Fifth Line South, Milton, ON L9T 2X8 To unsubscribe from commercial electronic messages sent by the Landscape Ontario Manage your e-mail preferences |
