Blessing of the Path held Wednesday, June 8

by Maureen Smith for HoCF

The Home Depot stores at Greer and the Dorman Center in Spartanburg have come through for Hospice of the Carolina Foothills (HoCF) once again, donating knock-out roses, gardenias and oak leaf hydrangea bushes for the second stage of planting at Hospice House of the Carolina Foothills in Landrum.

As if that weren’t enough, the bushes were planted by eight volunteers from the Home Depot/Team Depot teams, who placed them on the right hand side of the driveway, along the Path of Remembrance, leading to the new pergola.

“This is not the first time Home Depot has come to our aid,” said Hospice Development Manager Diane Nelson. “Earlier this year, they donated our foundation plantings, including camelias, rose bushes, red Japanese maple, junipers and monkey grass, which the Team Depot crew and our volunteer landscapers placed around the Hospice House entrance. Ayers Market in Landrum donated the flowers, Henson’s contributed the mulch and Williamson’s donated the stain. It has truly been a community effort for the people of our community.”

In addition, Home Depot and Ken’s Incorporated of Spartanburg also donated pressure-treated lumber for the wooden, slat-roofed pergola, which now provides shade at the end of the Path of Remembrance. Built by HoCF volunteers Jack Wright and DeWayne Carroll, the shady resting spot is ready just in time for the Blessing of the Path Wednesday, June 8.

“At the Blessing of the Path on June 8, we will give thanks for the many donations of money, time and labor which have contributed to making this all possible. Of course, Home Depot will be at the top of that list,” Nelson said. “We will also dedicate the space as a spot for our patients and their families to renew, recharge and restore, which has become critical to the many people who visit with us.

“The grant from Home Depot has made it possible to beautify these grounds, while the proceeds from the sales of bricks and pavers that line the Path of Remembrance have helped HoCF raise funds to pay down the $1.5 million mortgage on the Hospice House. It has been inspiring to see the many businesses and people come together to contribute to this project. And it has been wonderful to watch the beauty develop,” said Nelson. “We’ve even invited people to bring a small perennial plant to establish a ‘forget me not’ garden. We are creating a landscape that continues to unfold.”

To learn more about HoCF giving opportunities, contact Diane Nelson at 828-894-7000. For volunteer opportunities of all kinds and upcoming June volunteer training, contact Kim Smith at 828-894-7000 or 864-457-9122.