Rainbow Holds Third Annual Brick Dedication Ceremony
JOHNSON CREEK - Rainbow Community Care recently held its third annual memorial garden and brick dedication ceremony at its Rainbow Hospice Care Inpatient Center (IPC) in Johnson Creek on Thursday, August 22.
Family and friends gathered for a program to remember and honor their loved ones and found some comfort in some special reflections, messages, and the naming of all the new bricks that were added to the garden over the past year.
Rainbow Medical Director Dr. Thom McGorey and Chaplain Steve Steele provided calming music throughout the ceremony, along with guitarist Katie Jo Earle and harpist Lahna Anhalt. Rainbow’s bereavement team of Laura Wessels and Hilary Furnish led this year’s dedication and the event concluded with guests placing flowers on their loved ones’ bricks.
Rainbow's memorial garden continues to grow each year, brick-by-brick. In just three short years, it has transformed into a peaceful, serene, and welcoming space for visitors. Along with eight benches, a water feature, a fire pit, a loveseat-style glider, a pergola, and over 200 personalized bricks have been installed in the last two years. Visitors can walk these pathways outside the IPC at any time to find the names of their loved ones and gather for reflection, healing, and tranquility. Each brick has its own special story to tell.
"We are grateful that so many of our families have found comfort in ordering a brick or another installation to memorialize their loved one in Rainbow's brick garden," said Rainbow Bereavement Coordinator/Chaplain Laura Wessels. "It is a joy to visit the garden to read the names and the beautiful, loving tributes."
Anyone can donate to the garden or purchase a brick. A friend or family member doesn’t have to be a past or current Rainbow patient. Bricks are installed once a year but can be ordered at any time. Bricks are available in three different sizes and range from $250-$1,000. Bricks and garden features, including outdoor furniture, can also be purchased online at www.RainbowCommunityCare.org or by calling (920) 674-6255.
