Glad Garden Club spreads Christmas cheer

On November 27, the Glad Garden Club met at Emanuel County Medical Center to bring a little Christmas cheer to the hospital. Christmas time is not the time to be in the hospital be it as a patient or visitor. Even though employees know they are needed, most would rather be home cooking and wrapping, cooking and decorating, cooking and cleaning. So the little elves of the Glad Garden Club started decking the halls with boughs of holly, trees, and wreaths. First, you are greeted by two lighted Nutcracker Soldiers at the front door along with Christmas swags on the outside benches. The main Christmas tree is in the lobby decorated with traditional ornaments and lights. There are a few new ornaments purchased with funds used from an anonymous donor. Even a Santa, a snowman and a caroler can be seen, and let’s not forget the Angels. There are presents under the tree but don’t open them because there is nothing in them right now. They are waiting for Santa’s special touch. Another large tree graces the cafeteria with lights, ornaments and an angel on top, along with a beautiful Nativity by the cashier. Two newly decorated trees donated by Swainsboro Tractor Supply are by the main elevators on the first and second floors, bows and boughs and a second Nativity in the Chapel and a large lighted Angel in ICU, all help to make Christmas a little bit more special for our hospital community.

Then on December 2, the Glad Garden Club traveled to the Veterans and First Responders Memorial Park in honor of Emanuel County Heroes to participate in putting finishing touches decorating the live “Christmas” tree that was planted earlier this year in honor of our veterans. Under the direction of Johnny Tapley and his able-bodied crew of Veterans and City workers, Christmas lights donated by the club were strung on the tree to bring the total number of lights on the tree to twelve hundred! The club banner honoring the thirteen men and women killed in Afghanistan was taken down to be replaced temporarily by seasonal wreaths on the fence surrounding the park. A star donated by club member Sherri Clifton was placed on the top of the tree. On December 5, Garden Club members gathered in their Christmas outfits for another full day of giving and celebrating the Christmas season. To start off the morning, members met at the Sunshine House to deliver a donation of Christmas cheer to the deserving staff. Christmas is a time of sharing, giving, and miracles. The world takes on a red and green glow. Angels are singing. The kitchen is full of smells that bring back childhood memories but not every child has that privilege. Not every child gets to hang up their stocking by the chimney with care because there is no hope of jolly St. Nick coming there. Families are stressed and family dynamics can be difficult, especially this time of year. The Sunshine House tries to bring an extra little bit of Christmas cheer and comfort to the less fortunate and stressed this time of year. Then on to the Swainsboro Primary Pre-K School to donate to their Fig Leaf Project in support of purchasing clean underwear for children while at school. Then members took a break and had a fantastic Christmas Luncheon at the new Stockyard Restaurant in Swainsboro. Service and food were exemplary. A great big thank you to Brad Hooks for his special attention. After lunch, even more Christmas cheer was spread with a visit to the Emanuel County Nursing Home. Annually, Christmas presents are provided to county nursing homes on a rotating basis. Small blankets wrapped with Christmas bows and tiny stockings, donated by Wal-Mart and member Lisa Parham, were distributed to all residents. Even a Christmas Carol or two were sung. What a wonderful day and a jolly good time was had by all. MERRY CHRISTMAS!

The Glad Garden Club is a member of the Deep South Region of the National Garden Clubs, Inc., and the Oleander District of the Garden Club of Georgia, Inc.