Two years ago, Riverfront Landscaping recognized a need to create a beautification project at a corner in Macon, Ga., driving into the main gate of Robins Air Force Base.
Always thinking about ways to make improvements in their Keep Warner Robins Beautiful program, the resulting split cascading pondless waterfall is the latest city ComBeau project in town and the most extensive in terms of labor and donation since the program's inception in 1994.
"This is an addition to the city to take a right-of-way and to beautify it for our residents and visitors," said Keep Warner Robins Beautiful director Debra Jones. "The greenway ComBeau [for Community Beautification] projects are unique because the businesses or individuals who donate them literally see their contribution grow."
Chuck Pittman, owner of Riverfront, designed the project himself.
"We are proud to be working in Warner Robins as part of a team," Pittman said. "It's about beautification, and we hope folks enjoy looking at the fountain on their way into the main gate at the base."
Added Jones: "Chuck not only designed and built the fountain, but he also was recognized this year at the Keep Warner Robins Beautiful annual meeting for maintaining the site, which we greatly appreciate."
But the generosity of the Pittman family and business does not stop there. For the third consecutive year, Riverfront Landscaping will design and build a custom water feature for its annual "Ponds for Kids" program.
"In the past we have built a water feature for a local learning center or school to create a space for the children to play," said Pittman. The first pond was built in the park next to the Porter Ellis Community Center and the second at the Hephzibah Children's Home.
"This year our 'Ponds for Kids' will be a little different in that individuals will be entered for a $20 contribution to win a custom water feature valued at over $6,500 to be placed in their location of choice in Middle Georgia," he said. "All the proceeds will go to 10-year-old TJ Phillips, who was born with a condition known as Marfan syndrome."
Marfan syndrome is a connective tissue disorder frequently resulting in damaged blood vessels and aneurysm. The syndrome may involve any of the four heart valves, resulting in severe cases, though rare, of life threatening problems. Curvature of the spine and eye problems also may occur.
The third annual "Ponds for Kids" fundraiser began May 15 and will continue through Aug. 31 with the drawing scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 1, at Riverfront Landscaping, 3230 Hartley Bridge Road. Contributions should be made to "Cathedral of Christ Baptist Church," with "Ponds for Kids" in the memo line of the check.
"We feel very fortunate to team with Cathedral of Christ," said Callie Pittman, Chuck's wife. "This is the third time TJ has had heart surgery, and we just want to do our part to help the family."
TJ's initial surgery was at the tender age of six months, followed by a heart valve replacement at two years of age. Despite having some minor physical handicaps because of the Marfan syndrome, he has been able to live a normal life until recent developments.
In February of this year, he returned to the hospital to have the valve replaced again, sadly resulting in severe brain damage. "The family is now going through an extensive lifestyle change, replacing their home and vehicles with more handicap-accessible ones to meet TJ's special needs," said Pittman.
"Riverfront Landscaping is providing all the materials and labor for the water feature, so that all proceeds go directly to the family. We know how generous Middle Georgians are. This is a family who, if ever they needed help, now is the time."
To participate in the third annual "Ponds for Kids," visit www.riverfrontlandscaping.com or call 478-254-6089.
To read updates from TJ's family, click on CarePages and select tjphillipscarepage.