A wine tasting and dinner Saturday night will raise funds to support the new Child’s Remembrance Garden in Luverne.
The mission of the families working to build the garden is “to provide a non-denominational safe place for those who have lost a child to grieve, remember and heal.”
It will be located in the northwest corner of Tonto Park off James Street near St. Catherine’s Cemetery, and the goal is to raise $120,000 for the design that will include a water feature, center area with a pergola, walking paths, a labyrinth, lending library, a prayer wall and donor board.
Donations will also be used for maintenance of the garden and future enhancements such as statues near entrances and more private areas to the sides of the main garden.
Wayne and Mary Thompson are among the local families involved with the project. Their daughter, Brooke, was hit by a reckless driver in July of 2019.
“For me the garden will be a place of calm, a place to see our sweet Brooke’s name, honor her, keep her sparkle going, and a place to pray for others,” Mary said.
“My hope is that we will have created a place for everyone to feel closer to their children and maybe make a friend who understands in this long journey to somehow reach hope and healing.”
She said they’ve heard from over 60 families who have lost a child and hope the garden is completed.
Among them are Brock and Ashley Benson, whose son Hayden died two hours after he was born on May 27, 2021.
“For my family and me, the garden will be a place to be surrounded by nature and beauty to remember Hayden and see his name,” Ashley said. “The tranquil and peaceful atmosphere will allow a sense of calm and will be a great place to meditate and reflect.”
She said it will be a tribute to all children who have gone too soon.
“I see it as a place people can go to individually heal and feel closer to their children, as well as a place people can come together for a candle lighting or other gathering.”
Tyson and Monica Facile, whose son Jackson died in 2020 at 4 months old, said they envision the garden will be a place where people find that joy and grief can coexist.
“I hope it’s a place that brings peace and comfort in the unimaginable pain from losing a child,” Monica Facile said. “I love that it will be a kid-friendly place for all the siblings that are struggling with this loss as well.”
The Thompsons, Bensons and Faciles joined several other local families to form a non-profit last year and lease the 60-by-140-foot parcel from the city of Luverne.
According to the lease contract, the city will own the garden and its accessories, and the non-profit will be responsible for costs associated with operating, maintaining and managing the property, including utilities for a water feature and lighting.
City public works crews have already helped by clearing some old, dying evergreens and preparing the site for development.
The garden will be professionally planned and installed by a landscape architect/designer hired by the non-profit group, and the city will review the plans before implementation.
Lucas Stoffel from Oak Haven Landscape and Design out of Sherburn has been working on the project, which is expected to be complete this summer.
He has a special tie to the project as brother-in-law to Facile and godfather of Jackson.
“It means so much to me and my family that he was chosen to be the landscaper for this garden,” Facile said. “I know whole-heartedly that he will be putting his heart and soul into this.”
The Luverne Area Community Foundation is accepting funds for the project at the Main Street office or through luvacf.org.
The non-profit group can also accept donations through its website, childsremembrancegarden.org, where there is also information about purchasing benches or pavers in honor of a child and confidential scholarships for those with hardships who wish to purchase pavers.
“All children deserve to be honored and remembered,” Mary Thompson said.
“We want to continue to spread awareness to the many families who have lost a child from conception to any age, from any community, from any walk of life that may want to honor and remember them here.”
The group is looking forward to Saturday’s wine tasting and dinner as a source for financial support.
“Thank you so much to all who have believed in and supported our project,” Thompson said. “Your generosity is beyond words, and we are so grateful.”
The event starts at 7 p.m. Saturday, May 14, at Big Top Tents and Events. Doors open at 6 p.m. for social hour and a silent auction.
The deadline to purchase tickets at Blue Mound Liquor is May 11. (Call 507-449-5052.)