Homeless veterans seek new garden project

Sunshine Inn Veterans set out to promote community wellness and local food consumption through FOG’s GIFT Garden program.

The Sunshine Inn, which is owned and managed by the Alachua Housing Authority, is the location of one of the Veteran’s Affairs Department’s contract residential programs that provides transitional housing and case management to homeless veterans. Florida Organic Growers will be providing gardening instruction and building raised garden beds at the Sunshine Inn on April 9^th, 2013 with the help of the veterans who reside there. We are proud to participate in helping the veterans become more self-sufficient.

FOG will team up with veteran residents to install and plant the garden followed by a BBQ at 12:00 p.m. and work party event at 2:00 p.m.

While the Sunshine Inn residents remain in transitional housing they have taken it upon themselves to volunteer locally and contribute to the sustainable health of their community. The Veterans sought donations from local businesses and community professionals in order to make their dream garden project come alive. It is FOG’s great honor to award their initiatives by assisting with garden construction, planting, and maintenance.

The veterans at the Sunshine Inn have expressed a strong interest in beautifying the property which is located at 4155 NW 13 Street here in Gainesville. They would like to “honor those who have honored us” by improving the grounds. The veterans also wish to install a flag pole to display the American Flag, the State of Florida flag and a flag to remember the prisoners of war. The veterans have come up with a wish list that you will find below. It is our hope that you may find it in your heart to help the veterans accomplish these goals by donating any items on the list.

 If you are able to donate any of the items on the list or have any questions regarding the beautification project at The Sunshine Inn, you may call: 352.376.1611  EXT. 5692 

Veterans Wish List for the Sunshine Inn

Grounds Beautification Project

1. American Flag, Florida Flag and POW flag
2. Flag pole and installation
3. Three gardening hoses
4. Three hose nozzles
5. Shovel
6. Pitchfork
7. Mulch
8. Covered composting bin
9. Privacy fencing
10. Picnic table
11. Barbeque grill (like those at state parks) that can be cemented into ground
12. Small hand shovels
13. Hoe
14. Rake
15. Organic fertilizer
16. Grapefruit, tangerine, persimmon, or fig trees.
17. Two benches
18.  2 or 3 Standing sprinklers
19. Wheel barrel
20. Potted flowers or potted edible herbs
21. Solar grounds lighting
22. Two Watering cans
23. Bike rack that will fit in 61”x 112” covered enclosure
24. Two outdoor benches

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