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It all began with a dream. “The butterfly
garden has taken a real team effort to become a reality”,
smiles Susan Kreider. Susan is a long time resident of The
Good Samaritan Village at Kissimmee and the primary catalyst
of the garden.
The idea took flight in early 1998 when Susan enlisted the
expertise of Dan Dunwoody (a butterfly specialist) and began
to spearhead the necessary fund raising to support the project.
Residents, their families, staff, and other local friends
caught the vision and began to pool talents and resources.
Jason Ramsey, an Eagle scout with the Boy Scouts of America,
coordinated the site preparation for the project. Thomas Capella,
a local artist, created the beautiful murals, providing a
spacious effect, on either end of the garden. After years
of planning and persistence, the atrium was ready for it’s
new inhabitants and was dedicated on October 25, 2001 with
the release of 1000 butterflies into their new home.
“The blooming flowers and fluttering butterflies with
soothing music in the background creates a wonderful environment
for the Care Center residents”, says Ken Eimers, the
Care Center administrator. Additionally, the Propagation Center,
manned and run by resident volunteers of GSV is where the
caterpillars are raised into pupas and it is also a very unique
therapy and an awe-inspiring event to witness. “To my
knowledge, Good Samaritan has the only Health Care Center
Butterfly Atrium in the entire country”, states George
Weber, Resource Development Director for the Village.
The Butterfly garden and Propagation Center are available
for school tours, curious visitors, residents and guests alike.
You too, are invited to enjoy the serenity and beauty of our
Butterfly garden. We sincerely hope you will join us in supporting
the garden by becoming a butterfly Benefactor. With a qualifying
tax deductible gift, a golden butterfly will be added to the
recognition board, located near the entrance of the garden.
Thank you for your support.
For general or tour information email us at Butterfliesgsv@cfl.rr.com
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