Serenity Garden Dedication

On a beautiful April 2nd afternoon seventy-three people gathered at the TACID (Tacoma Area Coalition of Individuals with Disabilities) facility on South 19th for a ribbon cutting and dedication of our new Serenity Garden.

The garden is the work of volunteers from DaVita, Inc., Lowes, Randall Sand and Gravel, NECA/IBEW # 76 (Electrical Union), Bamford and Bamford, Judy Greinke, Jackie Vance, Pierce County Transit, Washington Floral, and TACID clients and Family Volunteers. Located on the TCC campus, the garden offers a place for relaxing, unwinding, and contemplation. Tacoma Mayor Bill Baarsma referred to the water fountain in the center of the garden as “ripples of healing.” How true.

Mayor Baarsma using a loaned Leatherman tool to cut the ribbon.

Mayor Baarsma was there to cut a ceremonial ribbon and unveil the sign. He also talked about the many people who TACID (www.tacid.org) has served since 1980 (including Bill’s mother who was a client with the blind/independent living program). Fitting the relaxed mood was the ribbon cutting. The garden shears cut through one ribbon, but the second one was more stubborn. To many broad smiles and laughter, board chair Ron Stone loaned Mayor Baarsma a small Leatherman tool. The second ribbon was snipped then on the first try. The mayor then moved on to the sign, which was donated by Pierce Transit.

A picnic area adjacent to the parking lot was also included in the dedication. The bulk of the clearing and setting up of the picnic area was done by Boy Scouts of America Troup 556 and in particular Nathan Schott and his father David.

The City of Tacoma and Tacoma Public Utilities are doing a lot of work to transform the TACID Center into an environmentally friendly facility by providing an overhaul of the HVAC system, providing new energy efficient lighting and encouraging recycling of waste. Later in the year thanks to the City’s support TACID hopes to have a federal grant to install solar power.

Board member Dave Thomas talks to volunteers from DaVita thanking them for all their hard work at the center.

The meeting room inside TACID has also been renovated. Participating organizations and volunteers: DaVita, Inc., Sherwin Williams, Gray Lumber, Conservation Corp of America, and Rushforth Construction. DaVita painted the walls and replaced ceiling tiles. Some of the removed ceiling tiles were used in other portions of the building as well.

The 2008 Winter Art Class Exhibit of the NW Creative Arts Center provided a showing of their works. For some great pictures visit our Art Exhibit. Volunteers provided snacks, pieces of cake, and apple cider for refreshment.

We had some very nice snacks, cakes, and cider refreshments.

Staff member Marybeth coordinated many volunteer actions. Here are some of her thank you notes for staff and volunteers:

Marsha donated sparking cider which made the snacks very festive

Sam brought vases, arranged flowers and worked on the invitations and program

Georganna single handedly got the food table together and worked on the press releases

Melody worked on the press releases and helped with the flowers

Chris arranged for the Mayor, the TNT coverage, was seen spreading bark ahead of time, carrying water and picking up chairs after the program.

Board Chair Ron Stone spread bark and cleaned the skylights

Board of Director Bob McCutchan was another major bark spreader

Judy printed the colored half of the program and brought volunteers who helped set up the chairs and do decorating

Mike Mowat from the Tacoma Exchange Club dug the holes, mixed the concrete and set up the new sign

Jackie, Judy and Sharon who worked tirelessly on the flowers

A young man from the computer lab whose name I don’t know, just happened to be outside as I was trying to get all the rest of the flowers loaded up and organized. He was so kind and helpful, he restored my faith in people.

Finally, I want to thank Phil who always takes all the leftover messes in stride and keeps coming back!

Volunteer Martina who worked on the food and the flowers

Thanks to the rest of you who helped, who I have inadvertently omitted!

The dedication was really a celebration of volunteers donating time and money to help TACID clients. The mood was happy, the colors were bright, and the people were friendly. It was a nice spring day, and everyone had a warm glow. What a great feeling being a part of Pierce County.

Tacoma Mayor Bill Baarsma unviels the Serenity Garden sign (donated by Pierce Transit).