Raven Wood Gardens. (photo by LIam Houston)

ESCANABA — Raven Wood Gardens got together for a cookout Tuesday morning to continue work on their garden for veteran horticultural therapy.

The Raven Wood Gardens is a non profit organization with the goal of providing community support for veterans, caregivers and emergency responders through garden therapy and community engagement.

Raven Wood Gardens provides a space and support system for veterans with PTSD, anxiety, depression and other cognitive needs to connect, learn and recover through garden therapy. The Gardens current location is at the Michigan State University Extension Escanaba Community Gardens, located on the corner of M35 and 23rd Ave South.

“This is our first year working at the Escanaba Community Gardens. I was familiar with it because I knew Rebecca Krans and the work they do here as well,” Said Raven Wood Gardens INC President Lou Ann Bates.

Members of the garden gathered on Tuesday to finish staining the wooden benches that were built at the garden, as well as have a small cookout and get a chance for the Press to come learn about the project.

From left: Sarah Dahl, Raven Wood Gardens INC Comittee Member; Carson Shampo; Lou Anne Bates, Raven Wood Gardens INC President; Alfonse Van Hese, Navy Veteran; Robert Polaski, Army Veteran; Marv Krause, Army National Guard Veteran; Al Blahnik, Airforce Veteran and Escanaba Community Gardens caretaker. (Photo by Liam Houston)

The members in attendance sang high praise of the garden as an avenue for connecting veterans in the community and as an effective tool for garden therapy.

“…for a Vietnam veteran — it’s garden therapy — to help with my PTSD and my anxiety and stuff, very helpful,” said Bob Polaski. “I get a lot out of the garden. I have a garden at home too, and when I’m not here, I’m at home taking care of my garden.”

The Raven Wood Gardens also have veteran Honor Bed Raised Garden boxes that they will deliver to the homes of veterans upon request. The first of which was delivered to Marve Krause, a local National Guard veteran who also lives near the community garden.

Marv Krause recieving his Honor Bed Raised garden (photo provided by Lou Anne Bates)

“I just live down the block, and it’s very handy for me. I wish more people would take advantage of it,” Marve Commented.

These at-home gardens are a newer initiative of the Raven Wood Gardens, intended to bring garden therapy to veteran members of the community that cannot make it to the community garden reliably, or who simply want to participate from their own yard.

“I met Al Blahnik this year, the [caretaker] for the garden plots. We decided to do the Honor Bed Raised Garden project to support gardening and getting people outdoors who have PTSD, anxiety and depression,” Lou Anne mentioned. “Our organization supports veterans of all branches, and anyone who would like to participate in the gardens.”

The project is looking to grow and is actively reaching out to get more veterans involved. If local veterans are interested in receiving a planter box for their yard they should call (906) 221-1705, and the Raven Wood Gardens will get back to them on when and where to deliver one.

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Liam Houston can be reached at 906-786-2021 or lhouston@dailypress.net.