June 19, 2023
Dorothy Dickison shows off a painting she contributed to the annual Sturgeon Community Hospital Adult Day Program plant sale in May. She’s joined her by therapy aide Jill Desrosiers. Photo by Sharman Hnatiuk.
Story & photo by Sharman Hnatiuk
EDMONTON — Dorothy Dickison loves to get her hands dirty. For the past 11 years, this 72-year-old St. Albert resident has rolled up her sleeves with the Adult Day Program to help plant and nurture seedlings in anticipation of the Sturgeon Community Hospital plant sale.
“Camping season took priority, so my husband and I stopped gardening back in the day,” says Dickison. “I like that we get to plant seeds every year with this program. Its always nice to see things grow.”
Therapy aide Jill Desrosiers took over the logistics of the annual event two years ago; she loves seeing the joy and pride her clients express in taking care of what they planted.
“The therapeutic value of gardening with seniors is huge, especially for our clients with dementia,” says Desrosiers. “It brings back positive memories for many of our clients who grew up planting a garden each year. It certainly releases happy hormones for everyone working with the Adult Day Program.”
Seeds and supplies are generously donated by two businesses in Morinville — High Q Greenhouses and Debs Greenhouse Garden Centre. Clients planted nearly 1,000 seeds by the end of February and spent the next few months tending to and transplanting the growing plants in time for the annual sale. Additionally, garden-themed crafts made by clients during day programing bring extra colour and creativity to the mid-May sale.
The sale has become popular with staff at the site — who often run down on their lunchbreaks to avoid disappointment before it sells out — as well as with patients and visitors here.
“Yesterday, we had a gentleman come to shop whose wife was in our program 10 years ago,” adds Desrosiers. “It’s heartwarming to see that, even though we no longer serve his family, he wants to come back to support the sale.”
Funds raised at the sale are used to buy additional craft and food supplies for day programming initiatives throughout the year.
