September 2009 - United Way Day of Caring Benefits Agency's Healing Patch in Ebensburg As part of the United Way's annual Day of Caring on September 16, employees from Mainline Bank, Gulish Garden Center and Cresson-native and landscaper, Kathy Ball, undertook a very meaningful project to create a "Healing and Reflection Garden" for children and families attending the Agency's Healing Patch, A Center for Loss and Hope for Grieving Children and Their Families. The garden is located outside of the Healing Patch's Ebensburg location. "The idea to have this garden came about after the death of two staff members, and because of that 10 kids were left without a parent," said Allison Stockley, a bereavement manager with the Healing Patch. "We wanted to be able to provide this as a service to the community and also have it as an extension to the hospice programs we already offer." The Healing Patch is now in its second year and has helped more than 100 children 18 years old and younger deal with death. The program is free to participants and is funded by Highmark Healthy High 5 and Home Nursing Agency's Foundation. The garden has two weeping cherry trees, butterfly bushes and a variety of flowers. In addition, two cement benches and angels were added as a tribute to the deceased agency employees. "We've left room for people to leave memory stones or to plant flowers in honor of a loved one," Stockley said. She added the goal of the garden is to be a safe haven and place where children and their families can come to start the healing process. "It gives you a sense of community because you can connect with other people and know that you're not alone and that what you are experiencing is normal," Stockley said.
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