The Fockele Garden Co. awarded for garden

GAINESVILLE, Ga. – The Fockele Garden Co. was awarded a Grand Award for Anne’s Garden at Northeast Georgia Medical Center (NGMC) during the 2011 Annual Environmental Improvement Awards Program sponsored by PLANET.

Anne’s Garden was one of 29 projects nationwide to earn the top level designation.

The Fockele Garden Co. partnered with The Medical Center Foundation on the project, which was made possible by longtime NGMC supporters and Foundation donors, Anne and George Thomas of Gainesville.

“We enjoyed collaborating with The Medical Center Foundation on Anne’s Garden,” The Fockele Garden Co. Vice President Julie Evans said. “It is a garden that can be enjoyed year-round and provides respite for patients, families, visitors and hospital staff.”

The garden is serene and offers patients and visitors a place of hope and healing, which was Anne Thomas’ vision. As a therapeutic garden, visitors can experience peace, restoration and reflection. Large numbers of hospital staff, visitors and patients are drawn to the soothing atmosphere, the sounds of water, “Elpida” the Angel of Hope sculpture, and the colorful and interesting plantings.

“Time and again, we witness the positive change in mood that the garden facilitates (provide), because people go out of their way to let us know what a difference Anne’s Garden makes in their experience while visiting the hospital,” said Nancy Colston, executive director of The Medical Center Foundation.