Mourning seniors who belong to Storefront Humber are creating a Remembrance Garden to help them pay tribute to the many friends and loved ones they have lost to COVID-19.

“During my conversations with our volunteers and clients it was made clear that many had lost loved ones during the COVID-19 close down,” said Bruce Buchanan, Manager of Community and Social activities for Storefront Humber Inc.

Buchanan said the many emergency lockdowns and closures have been tough on the seniors.

“Many of our seniors and adults with disabilities have been very isolated and the Garden will let them know that they are always remembered,” he acknowledged.

He said ‘many people were not able to mourn as they would have been able to (and that has) had an effect on their emotional and isolation over the past year.’

“Not everyone who passed away was due to Covid but still the loss was still very much on the minds of our community,” Buchanan noted.

He said during a discussion the idea came up for the Remembrance Garden project.

“We have six large wooden raised beds at the front of our Storefront Humber building on Lake Shore Blvd. West and Mimico,” he explained. “A project was made to plant flowers as a way to visually and emotionally have a place to do our remembering and celebrating those we lost and are being missed.”

Storefront members will begin planting the garden on May 18. The volunteer board have donated geraniums for the planting.

The garden will be for clients and their families “to visit and remember those who we have lost.”

In addition, small coloured fabric flags will be hung with have the names of those people we wish to remember, Buchanan said.

They will be hung from the larger trees at the front that over hang the remembrance gardens.

Someone has donated some money for a small wind chime to hand in the tree as well.

The Tibetans believe the prayers and mantras will be blown by the wind to spread the good will and compassion into all pervading space.

Therefore, prayer flags are thought to bring benefit to all, he said.

They are traditionally hung outdoors (on trees, homes or mountain tops) so that when the wind blows their energy and prayers are released into the universe.

Storefront Humber provides extensive programs to help seniors and adults with disabilities remain independent in their own home and in the community. Their office is located at 2445 Lake Shore Blvd. W. They can be reached by phone at 416-259-4207 or email at sfh@storefronthumber.ca