Healing Gardens of NWA Press Kit

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1 Healing Gardens of NWA Press Kit Contents: - Contact Page - Logos - History of Healing Gardens of NWA - Campaign FAQs - Campaign Renderings - Campaign Photos - Link to video Updated

2 Healing Gardens of Northwest Arkansas Mission: Our mission is to provide a green space that will enrich the quality of lives in Northwest Arkansas and beyond. Healing Gardens of NWA is based on four pillars of healing including health/wellness, education, arts integration, and community building. We celebrate diversity, encourage discovery, and empower dreams for generations to come. Four pillars: Health/Wellness, Education, Arts Integration, Community Building Executive Director (press contact): Rachel Cox Rachel@healinggardensofnwa.org Co-Founders: Meritt Hutchison & Reverend Pamela Cicioni Company contact information: Website Phone: Rachel@healinggardensofnwa.org Address: P.O. Box 1289 in Rogers, Arkansas 72757

3 Logos for use. EPS files available. Font scheme is: Caviar Dreams or Aargh Green: PANTONE 376 C Blue: PANTONE 3125 C

4 HISTORY OF HEALING GARDENS OF NWA The year 2012 is a recurring part of the theme for Healing Gardens of Northwest Arkansas. It was in 2012 that a chaplain and oncologist stood gazing out the glass windows of Highlands Oncology Cancer Center in Rogers, AR after a long day of delivering hard news to patients and their families who were receiving cancer treatment. As they stood reflecting on the important work that Highlands was doing, they imagined a place outside those windows where people of the community could reconnect with themselves, with nature, and have a healing and life-giving place to breath. The physician looked at the chaplain, and charged her to build it - "build the Healing Gardens of Northwest Arkansas." In the next week, a woman stopped into Highlands who had recently lost her mother from pancreatic cancer who had been a patient there. She wanted to plant a tree or do something to offer legacy to her wonderful mother who loved the outdoors and gardening. She, Meritt Hutchison, was reconnected with Chaplain and Spiritual Director, Reverend Pamela Cicioni and the dream they both had took off. Within two weeks, all of the physicians at Highlands agreed to donate the 2.2 acre space behind their building along the Razorback Greenway Trail for the project. Over the next two years, co-founders - Meritt and Rev. Pamela were hard at work learning how to create a nonprofit, went through the 501c3 process and began researching next steps taking their dream and making it reality. Early in their process, they were introduced to Scott Eccleston, Director of Operations for Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art. Scott instantly connected with the mission of their project and offered contacts that Crystal Bridges had used for a landscape architect, primary contractor, and many others to get the project rolling.

5 HISTORY (CONTINUED) Soon after, a dream team began to form with Ron Troutman of Boulder Construction and Arlin Vancuren of Howell and Vancuren. The organization began raising money for the initial planning phases of design, and the dream began to actually manifest in the form of renderings, site plans, and a true mission and vision for the community. An amazing and diverse Board of Directors had been established with Meritt Hutchison serving as Board President, and they began working toward the goal of hiring their first Director. One day, while Rev. Pamela was rolling on her little black chair through the chemo room at Highlands Oncology she met a patient and began chatting about the project he asked her to sketch out what it would look like including the sanctuary piece of the gardens. They talked about Thorncrown Chapel and Cooper Chapel and many other beautiful amenities in the community. Without knowing who he was, she shared their vision and he requested she go to see the JB Hunt Memorial and to report back to him on her thoughts. The next time he was in for treatment, he asked her if she went to visit the memorial. She had and thought it was beautiful Well, I am glad you liked it because I built it he said. He then handed her back the sketch she had drawn with some necessary updates on the structural aspects of the sanctuary. Reverend Pamela in awe of what she had learned asked him if he would sign the paper. He jokingly refused, but offered I won t sign this, but if you ask me to I will build it for you. This is how Maurice Jennings came on as our architect for the Sanctuary. This project was Maurice s last work before he passed in 2016, but his son Walter Jennings, who is a phenomenal architect has continued on with us.

6 In 2016, Healing Gardens of NWA hired their first Director who helped pave the way in getting contracts signed, plans updated and the organization equipped administratively to transition into campaign. In the fall of 2016, she transitioned to another organization and the baton was passed to a new Executive Director, Rachel Cox in February of this year to propel the organization forward. Rachel Cox who had also been impacted by the great work of Highlands Oncology walked alongside her grandfather s cancer journey in 2012 during the same period where the dream was being ignited. She also understands the great need for a healing space for those in Northwest Arkansas and is focused and energized on building the plan and campaign needed to make this happen. Today, Healing Gardens of Northwest Arkansas is about to launch into campaign to raise the necessary funds needed to make this into a reality. The program is built on four pillars of Health/Wellness, Education, Arts Integration, and Community Building. With the hope that all members of the community will be able to use the gardens as an amenity. The gardens will feature trails, a labyrinth, a reflecting pool, waterfall, Sanctuary, secret garden, stone stacking area, a great lawn, sculptures, and symphony space. Every part of the garden has been created to add therapeutic and sensory value. Our hope is to not only be a resource for the families and patients undergoing cancer treatment, but to all of Northwest Arkansas and beyond being positioned on the Razorback Greenway, we expect to receive a lot of trail users. Our programming hopes to engage many educational and art seekers through guided walks, music integration of violinists and harpists and places that offer quiet, tranquil, reflective space for meditation. Please follow us on Facebook and on our website to stay connected, as we launch into campaign this summer! - Rachel@healinggardensofnwa.org or

7 2020 JOURNEY TO COMPLETION - FAQs How much do we need to raise? Since January 1, 2012, the Healing Gardens of Northwest Arkansas has raised $268, In order to complete the gardens we need to raise an additional 4,326, to reach our total goal of $5.6 million. What is the timeline? Our goal is to complete the gardens by 2020, to allow the public to fully enjoy this inspiring space. Why is this important? The mission of the Healing Gardens of Northwest Arkansas is to be a green space for all by enriching the quality of lives in Northwest Arkansas and beyond. Research shows healing gardens provide relief from symptoms, stress reduction, and improvement in overall sense of well-being and hopefulness. Our community, everygrowing, deserves such a space to unwind and enrich our lives. Is my donation tax-deductible? Healing Gardens of Northwest Arkansas is a registered 501(c)3. Your donations may be tax-deductible, please consult your taxadvisor. How should my check be addressed? Please address your check to: Healing Gardens of Northwest Arkansas PO Box 1289 Rogers, AR 72757

8 2020 JOURNEY TO COMPLETION - FAQs Are there naming opportunities? Yes, we have naming opportunities available for individuals, families, and corporations. Please contact us to learn more about what is available. Our goal is to provide meaningful recognition to our supporters. What is the estimated traffic to the gardens? The gardens will be located just off of the Razorback Greenway, at Horse Barn Trail, welcoming trail users to visit. In addition, patients and those working in the surrounding area encouraged to visit the Healing Gardens of Northwest Arkansas to enjoy a tranquil space. We estimate that approximately 100,000 visitors will come to the gardens in our first operating year. What are the greatest benefits to the community? In the vision for the gardens, we have remained anchored by four pillars; health and wellness, education, arts integration and community building. We passionately believe the gardens will be a place for learning, community, and will be a unique space for individuals and families to reconnect to nature and themselves. How can I take advantage of matching gift programs my company offers? Yes, we can accept matching gifts and encourage supporters to check companies to fully leverage support available. If your company provides matching gift support. In-kind support in the form or tangible goods or services are also welcomed. Please contact us to set-up your matching gift support.

9 2020 JOURNEY TO COMPLETION - FAQs How did the Healing Gardens of Northwest Arkansas acquire the land? Highlands Oncology has provided the land for the Healing Gardens of Northwest Arkansas. The doctors have offered us a 100 year land lease for $1/year, with a 50 year extension available at $1/year. How will this project be sustained in future years? We are embarking in a comprehensive campaign to allow us to build the gardens. Once we achieve our initial capital campaign goals, we will launch a legacy campaign that will include an endowment to ensure the Healing Gardens of Northwest Arkansas will be available for all to enjoy for years to come. How much money has been committed to date? More than a quarter of a million dollars has been donated to date. These funds have afforded us the opportunity to commission the designs, site plans, and architectural renderings for the gardens. This progress has allowed us to move into the building phase of the gardens, which will be funded through our capital campaign efforts. What are the phases for the project? It is our goal to complete the entire project by As funding goals are met various elements of the gardens will be completed. Naming opportunities are available for various elements of the garden.

10 2020 JOURNEY TO COMPLETION - FAQs Who is involved in this project? Highlands Oncology Group graciously gifted us this 2.2 acre space through an indefinite land lease of $1/year. This generous gift was agreed to by all the partners who own the land just north of the Rogers Highlands Oncology Group office. Larry Perkin of Hight-Jackson was one of the stakeholders in the design and partnership phase assisting with the overall design and development of the site planning for the garden space. Our goal was to culminate a team of highly qualified people who can keep a thumb on costs and could offer enhancement of a healing green space on the trail systems. Early in the design phase, Scott Eccleston of Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art also championed this project and assisted in connecting us to Ron Troutman of Boulder Construction, who will be our primary contractor for the project and has a great reputation of his work with the Razorback Greenway and Crystal Bridges. Through Ron Troutman s network we obtained Howell & VanCuren as our landscape architect for the project. His work has been seen worldwide including Chicago Botanical and Crystal Bridges. Soon after, Maurice Jennings joined our team through his connection to Highlands while he was a patient receiving care. He and his son, Walter Jennings, came on board as our architects to design the Sanctuary pavilion space in the gardens. For thirty-nine years, Maurice and Fay Jones were architectural partners with projects like Thorncrown Chapel, Mildred B. Cooper Chapel, Garvan Gardens, the JB Hunt Memorial, and many more. Our project was Maurice s last project before his passing from cancer in the fall of This space will be a third generation Frank Lloyd Wright project. How you can help: Your gift to Healing Gardens of Northwest Arkansas will help enrich the lives of those in our communities by providing a haven that promotes restoration, healing, spiritual well-being and a sense of peace. You can be part of this legacy through naming opportunities that provide you with a way to achieve your philanthropic goals and at the same time provide a haven that cancer patients and our community members can all access. With a gift of $50,000 or more, your name will be added to our special Donor Wall in recognition of your generosity and commitment to provide a Healing Garden. Anyone who has been touched by cancer would you consider joining us in making this a reality? Please support the Healing Gardens of Northwest Arkansas by making a taxdeductible contribution. Your gift will help build the garden s foundation and enable the spiritual, emotional and mental healing of Northwest Arkansas and all who visit.

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18 Full video rendering -