During the summer, Landscape Ontario launched the Garden Makeover Program as a way to recognize the hard work of the province’s frontline workers.
With over 1,000 nominations from friends, neighbours, patients and family members - who each shared incredible stories of selflessness, devotion and compassion - 10 winners were chosen.
Among those who will receive garden makeovers is a Simcoe County hero, Sandra Best.
Best, who lives in Orillia, seves as the operations manager for Barrie’s David Busby Centre.
Best said she found out she had been nominated at the same time she found out she won.
“My mother entered me into the contest and she called me to say that she had done so, but forgot all about it. Then she said I had actually been chosen for a garden makeover,” said Best. “Clearly my mom is a big fan of mine and it's very sweet.”
The Busby Centre helps individuals and families within the County of Simcoe who are experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness.
Best started with the Busby Centre in 2012 as a student and while she lived in Thunder Bay for a year, she has been with them full-time since 2015.
As the operations manager, Best oversees the day to day happenings at the facility, which is a lot to juggle at any time, but especially in the last seven months.
“We're trying to do a lot of things that our community normally does. We’re not just dealing with the homelessness issue, but taking on mental health struggles, medical concerns, addiction issues, all stuff that has been spread out throughout the social services community,” said Best.
“We also don’t normally provide shelter in the summer months at all, it is usually November to April, but we’ve now been sheltering all year," she added.
“But also just the logistics of functioning through a viral pandemic is a lot of work: monitoring the safety of our staff and volunteers as well as our guests as we maintain physical distancing and all safety precautions.”
In the past, Best worked at two garden centres and even though she is busy, would like to have more time to putter around in the yard.
“I do love to garden. I obviously don’t have as much time as I’d like to be able to garden, but I wish I did, which is why it is so fun that I received this recognition.”
Though very appreciative of the gardening honour, Best does feel a little awkward accepting it.
“It is really nice when you get recognized for your work in this field; it's more of a passion, but still it is nice,” said Best. “None of us that help others are ever in this for awards or gifts, but it is a very wonderful gesture.”
Scott Barber of Landscape Ontario Horticultural Trades Association (LOHTA), said the organization put together a task force when COVID-19 hit and worked at ways to get through it.
“One of the things that kept coming up was to somehow thank our first-responders and all they were doing and were about to do as the pandemic progressed,” said Barber.
“We hoped to breathe new life into the gardens of those who could use a space to clear their minds and worries. We feel very strongly that a beautiful outdoor garden is the best way to do that," he said.
The LOHTA will go by the homes of the 10 recipients in the spring of 2021 and begin the landscape beautification process.
