Over a year ago, the presidents of the three garden clubs in Cleveland, TN (Aldersgate, Magnolia, and Ocoee) met under the leadership of Charlotte Scott (Aldersgate) to develop a plan to sponsor a Gold Star Memorial. Building plans for a veterans home in Cleveland had just begun, and what better place to locate this memorial!
The Veterans Home of Cleveland facility will be 110,000 square feet and will serve as an intermediate and skilled nursing center (inpatient only) for veterans in need of long-term care. The facility will offer a wide range of therapy services within the Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Speech Therapy programs. A commitment is being made to ensure the veterans can achieve their highest level of function and independence.
The new home will provide 108 beds for nearly 50,000 veterans who live in the six-county area. The closest veterans homes from Cleveland are Knoxville, Murfreesboro, and then Nashville and Atlanta. This will be the fifth home in Tennessee where veterans can be together and receive the help they need.
Garden club members from the three clubs will share in the cost of placing this Gold Star Memorial. As a fundraiser for the Magnolia Garden Club, Beth Cunningham, president for 2021-2023, pieced and machine-quilted a large throw (48×69) with lovely details and appliqué of birds done by Cecile Broz. The quilt has a pillow (16×16) that matches the quilt. Magnolia club member and artist Cecile Broz donated a painting entitled “A Deer in Winter” (40×30). MGC is excited to be able to offer such outstanding prizes!
Tickets are on sale now for $2 each (or more if you’d like) for a chance to win one of these artful creations at a drawing to be held at the October 28 MGC meeting.
Remember the cause, and send your donation and contact information to the immediate past president:
Ginger Cloud
532 Cookson Creek Road
Ocoee, TN 37361
Your name and contact information will be entered into the drawing box for the October 28 drawing. You will be notified that evening if you have been selected. Good luck! Don’t miss this opportunity to support a wonderful cause and win an artful prize.
Submitted by Beth Cunningham & Ginger Cloud