Dec. 7, 2019 PHOENIX—Local companies, led by Ewing Irrigation & Landscape Supply, came together to give back to veterans by installing a calming garden, new green spaces and an herb walk for patients in the Phoenix VA Health Care System’s Substance Abuse Recovery and Rehabilitation Treatment Program (SARRTP).

On Dec. 7, 2019, Ewing and partners worked together to renovate the landscape at the Phoenix VA Health Care System for patients residing in SARRTP. Intended to give patients a place to congregate, volunteers spent the morning constructing raised planter beds around the entrance and sides of the building, as well as wall planters and an herb walk. Volunteers installed a garden in these raised planter beds and wall planters that patients can help cultivate.

“This functional garden is going to allow us to therapeutically treat those residing in SARRTP,” said Michelle May, Recreation Therapist at the Phoenix VA Health Care System. “Gardening has been proven to help with providing coping skills and healing to those who suffer from PTSD as well as substance use disorders by giving them a sense of purpose and responsibility. Gardening, especially for substance use disorders, helps reciprocate the concepts we are also wanting our veterans to see in themselves – with time, care and attentiveness – positive growth and change can happen.”

As part of Ewing’s commitment to local sustainable solutions and community outreach, Ewing partnered with manufacturers Hunter Industries, Landscape Products, Corona Tools, Mirimichi Green, AquaSmart, Holganix, Pavestone, and a Phoenix-area contractor, One Fix Sprinklers, on the project. Products used in this project included a Hunter Industries solar powered XC Hybrid Controller, drip valves, soil amendments and rumble stone, as well as drip tubing, emitters and more.

“Each year, as a way to give back to the community, we select a project that has a special meaning to us as a company,” said Douglas York, Ewing’s President and CEO. “Ewing selected the VA Hospital as a way to honor our veterans. Knowing our work will help in the healing process for those who need it most makes it all worth it.”

The Phoenix VA Health Care System serves veterans in Phoenix and surrounding areas. The Phoenix VA utilizes proprietary healthcare delivery methods to ensure quick and easy service centered around patients’ needs.

For more information on this project and other Ewing PRIDE Projects, contact Ewing or Phoenix VA Health Care System.

About Ewing:

Ewing, with it's Ewing Irrigation & Landscape Supply and Ewing Landscape Materials locations, is the largest family-owned national supplier of landscape, irrigation, agronomic, aggregate, hardscape and water management products. As your business partner, we offer products and education for irrigation and landscape, turf and land management, outdoor living, sports fields, golf and sustainable solutions. Our nationwide network of friendly, knowledgeable staff helps green industry professionals discover products and services for business success.

About the Phoenix VA Health Care System:

The Phoenix VA Health Care System proudly serves veterans and their families in Arizona at their main facility in central Phoenix, as well as at nine outpatient VA clinics located in and around the Phoenix metropolitan area. The Phoenix VA utilizes proprietary healthcare delivery methods to ensure quick and easy service centered around patients’ needs.

Note to the Editor: Photos from the 2019 PRIDE Project at the Phoenix VA Health Care System are available for download.

• Building planter boxes
• Planting trees
• Planting flowers in the wall planters
• Garden bed construction
• Group photo

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