Brother, Can You Spare A Hoe?

Three years ago, Leslie Santiago decided it might be therapeutic for the residents of Rogers House, a group home for adults operated by the Department of Developmental Services at Waterford's Camp Harkness, to do a little gardening. 

What started out as a small garden at the side of the house soon blossomed and the residents did too as they helped with the planting, the weeding, and the watering. 

"If they’re really rambunctious, that gets them to calm down," said Santiago. "They want to help and go out there and do it. They will concentrate on that. That is what they look forward to."

As the weather grew warmer, Santiago said, everyone was eager to get started in the garden again. But during last year's storm, a lot of the plants took a beating and there was a lot of debris to clear. That wouldn't have been a problem, except that the few tools they had to work with, which were old to begin with, were beginning to break. 

"We don’t have the resources to keep the garden up," said Santiago. "We don’t have money for it. We don’t have any tools. We just make do with what we can borrow."

Still, one resident in particular was so excited about getting back into the garden again that Santiago said, "I couldn’t let him down and tell him, 'No, We don’t have any money for it.' I had to figure out something."

That's when Santiago decided to use her Facebook page to reach out to the community for help. And the community is beginning to answer back. 

Kerry Sullivan, program coordinator for Waterford's Parks and Recreation, donated hand tools, a rake, a garden hose, and some lilies she had at home. Anita Miller, owner of Goldy's Restaurant, donated two tomato plants, which are now in the garden at Rogers House. 

Santiago said she's hoping that more donations will come in. Rogers House could use anything and everything. 

"If they have soil. If they have something to keep the weeds away, mulch, or flowers, or any type of vegetables we can plant, I have three different areas I’m trying to get going," Santiago said. 

If you have anything you'd like to donate, please contact Santiago at rogershousegarden@yahoo.com