“I love a fresh grown tomato!”  Caroline Drum exclaimed.  “Watching a plant grow and thrive makes me happy,” says Mary Nathan who is renowned for her green thumb.

Trying to live out the vision of Saint Jeanne Jugan, which has at heart to make the elderly happy, requires us to be creative and attentive to the memories and aspirations of our Residents.

Here at the Jeanne Jugan Residence, everyone is getting excited about our summer plans to cultivate a garden.  We have already picked the perfect spot in the courtyard for a pumpkin patch and hope to carve our own pumpkins in October!  Raised gardening beds are on their way, which when assembled will allow Residents to get their hands in the dirt, pull weeds and eventually reap our harvest.

Together, we hope to learn more about gardening and profit from the expertise of those in our midst.  Our gardening project, “Reap Rejoicing” will be an integral part of our Activity and Volunteer Program for the summer of 2011.  Check back – and we will let you know when we pick our first tomato!

We are asking for donations:

Garden gloves
Gardening soil                                                                       
Herb & tomato plants                                                           
Home Depot, etc. gift cards
Seeds (cutting flowers, veggies, herbs)
New or gently used gardening tools and watering cans       

If you would like to make a donation toward our “Reap Rejoicing” garden project, which will help defray the cost of our raised garden beds, please call Meg Miller or Sister Camille Rose at 202-269-1831.