by Marty Trese, KnoxPages.com editor
MOUNT VERNON – The rock in the center of the new Serenity Garden at the Freedom Center on East Gambier Street holds a plaque saying, “Serenity Garden, dedicated to the people that have been affected by chemical dependency, You are not alone. THERE IS HOPE.” It’s a powerful message surrounded by beautiful flowers and landscaping dedicated Tuesday afternoon attended by Freedom Center staff, recovering addicts, Chamber of Commerce representatives and community members.
Freedom Center Executive Director Jeff Williams
Freedom Center Executive Director Jeff Williams welcomed the crowd and thanked those who put the event together including Mary Samuell, community director, and Glenn Taylor, groundskeeper. Williams introduced longtime Center counselor Rafe Pierce who designed the garden and recruited the Amethyst group, all of whom are in recovery, to help build the garden.
Amethyst Group pictured from left, Roger F., Jessie M., Lowell R., Jeremy J. John P. Rafe Pierce, Bill H., Bob A., Ersel (partially hidden) and Jim B.
Pierce said, “It’s not a secret for people in recovery, when they get away from their drug of choice, there’s all this time on their hands that you need to fill up. Hobbies and projects are real important. For me, in my recovery it was this kind of stuff, I grew up doing this.” Pierce continued that the project has been two years in the making. The garden features dahlias, zinnias, and more flowers, plus new grass, a new sidewalk, benches, and a white fence providing separation from the traffic of East Gambier Street. Additional development of the garden is planned.
Freedom Center Serenity garden – KnoxPages.com photos by Marty Trese
Corporate donations for the garden came from United Precast and Fast Eddy’s Lawn Maintenance. The public is invited to visit the garden.
