A Maple Ridge Scout group volunteered to help revitalize garden space at Ridge Meadows Hospital.
(Photo) (From L-R) Liam Nelson, Dylan Meunier, Joey Meunier of the 1st Haney Scout Group
Joey Meunier, member, 1st Haney Scout group in Maple Ridge, knows that the gardens are often the first thing that patients see when arriving at Ridge Meadows Hospital. He and his fellow Scouts previously helped beautify the space outside of the sites Psychiatric Unit and saw the difference it had made at the site.
It was the inspiration to go back this year and help again.
“I wanted to go back and improve the garden from a couple years ago,” says Joey.
Using the skills he had learned during the group’s former garden work, Joey helped lead the charge in planning for the project, gaining valuable leadership skills in the process.
“Joey approached us, saying that he wanted to give back to the community and use this experience as a leadership project,” says Debbie Kennedy, assistant to the director of Clinical Operations at Ridge Meadows Hospital. “He came out, looked at the gardens and provided us with a project outline.”
Joey created a detailed project plan and found funding to cover the cost of materials. He also recruited his father Dave, and younger brother Dylan, as well as four other scouts to help with the project.
He also made sure that his team had the proper gardening and safety equipment, such as shovels, rakes, wheelbarrows, buckets and gloves. Joey also looked after everyone’s well-being, arranging for everyone to bring water, snacks and lunch.
(Photo) Joey and team planting shrubs and flowers at Ridge Meadows Hospital.
After six hours of hard work, Joey and his team completed their gardening project. “Both staff and volunteers have commented on the difference [Joey and team] have made in the Oncology Unit garden. Now that the warmer weather will soon be here, our oncology patients will have a lovely space to enjoy, thanks to the Scouts,” says Nancy Young, manager, Volunteer Resources at Ridge Meadows Hospital.
(Photo) Joey and team, after completing the gardening work in the Oncology garden.
Joey’s volunteer contributions will count directly towards the Chief Scout’s Award, the highest award given at the Scout level by Scouts Canada. It is attained through leading a volunteer project in a local community.
Joey and his peers plan to keep giving back, with designs to return this spring to pressure wash the Oncology Unit’s patio.