Garden of Sunshine Contacts Garden of Sunshine Contacts

Contacts: 
Donna McBride, Adviser  520-431-3447
Jim Rhodes, Adviser 520-840-3778

Casa Grande Youth Commission
c/o City of Casa Grande
510 E. Florence Blvd.
Casa Grande, AZ 85122

Email: cgyc@live.com

Project Wish List Project Wish List

Artwork:

  • Wrought Iron Wall
  • Sunshine Memorial Plaques
  • Statues

Landscaping:

  • Rock
  • Walking stones
  • Borders

Vegetation:

  • Drought tolerant plants
  • Planters
  • Annual flowers

Lighting:

  • Pathway
  • Security
  • Decorative

Other:

  • Cement benches
  • Arbor
First Day of Work - October 13, 2012 First Day of Work - October 13, 2012

The Casa Grande Youth Commission began work on the Garden of Sunshine Youth Memorial Garden on October 13, after nearly a year of planning.

Casa Grande Youth Commission President Zoe Cooper commented about the number of volunteers involved with the garden's first official workday. "We have our Youth Commission Members and 50 volunteers helping us out here today." The Commission's advisor Donna McBride said, "We are so grateful for the community that have come together and really made this happen, because 16 kids could not have done this by themselves." She also said, "When you have 75 young people out here on a Saturday on the last day of Fall Break…You can't get any better than that."

The Youth Commission hopes to continue receiving such enthusiastic support for the project throughout its construction. When finished, the memorial garden will stand as a tribute to members of the Casa Grande community who have passed away as children or teenagers.

The Casa Grande Youth Commission is a group of teens appointed by the mayor who represent the interests of Casa Grande's youth. The Commission is involved with leadership and community service for the city.

How Did This Project Gets Its Name? How Did This Project Gets Its Name?

The Garden of Sunshine Memorial Garden is a project led by the Casa Grande Youth Commission. The name was chosen after a young man, Zack “Sunshine” Eide, along with his sister Katie, who were killed in a tragic crash during a massive dust storm in 2009.

The Commission has been raising funds and working on details of the garden so that is will be reflective of personal memories as well as a celebration of life. The memorial wall is open to any family who has lost a child between the ages of 0-18 years who has a Casa Grande connection.
 
Any family that would like to include their child's name should submit their request by September 15, 2012. Plaques are currently being designed and made for the wall. To do so, contact Adviser Donna McBride at 520-431-3447 or at cgyc@live.com

 

How Can You Get Involved? How Can You Get Involved?

Artists: To help with the artwork of plaques that will be placed on the memorial wall.
Landscapers: To help with design of garden.
Welders: To make the wrought iron wall for memorial plaques.
Electricians: To help with the lighting needs of the project.
Work Crews: To help with the creation of the garden (moving rock, planting flowers, building arbor, laying stones, etc.)
Work-Day Sponsors: Provide lunch, drinks and snacks to volunteers.
Sponsorship of plaques: This would cover the cost for families who would like to include their son or daughter’s name on the wall.
Donations are being accepted to help with the cost of this project.
Donations can be made to:
Casa Grande Youth Commission
c/o Garden of Sunshine Project

What’s Been Done? What’s Been Done?

Preliminary work has been done through several meetings and planning sessions over the past six months. Some of that work resulted in:

  • Naming of the project
  • Location of the garden and working with city staff on necessary guidelines
  • General idea for the design of garden
  • Individual memorial plaque design
  • Start-up funding by Youth Commission and several donations
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