SANDPOINT — Leaf blowers roared throughout the Healing Garden on Saturday morning as volunteers worked diligently to prepare the garden for the winter months. 

The cool bite of fall didn't keep volunteers from showing up and, although their cleanup duties varied, everyone shared a common goal: caring for a space they love. Some raked stray leaves into neat piles while others hauled wheelbarrows of yard debris. 

"Right now, to see all these people helping, it feels so good," said volunteer Gail Lyster. 

The garden, which is a short walk away from Bonner General Health, is a place for patients to let their worries melt away and let peace take its place, said Lyster. 

"It's a haven," said Lyster. "It's just like everything gets eased and they can enjoy something that has nothing to do with their lives." 

Lyster's brushstrokes can be seen throughout the garden. As a tile painter, her artwork spans from intricate paintings of bumblebees to hand-painted names of garden donors. 

Lyster said volunteering doesn't have to take up an entire day to be rewarding. 

"All these people are here, everything's getting done, and you can leave within an hour," said Lyster. "You still feel like you had something to do with the beauty of this wonderful gem." 

Although the garden is supported by a dedicated group of volunteers, many of them are in their 70s or older. 

That's why it's important for Bonner General Health volunteer coordinator Kate McAlister to show younger generations that the garden is theirs, too. 

"Our demographic is mostly retirees, but this belongs to the young people now," said McAlister. "It's only taking a couple hours to do this, but we need the volunteers." 

A common misconception McAlister has heard is that the garden is owned by the city, and only certain people can enter. 

However, McAlister said the garden is open for all. 

"It is a privately owned garden by Bonner General Health, but we open it to the public," said McAlister. 

Volunteer work is not as daunting as it may seem, said McAlister. Since the garden is divided into sections, volunteers only need to focus their attention on one task. 

"You're assigned to a certain section, and that's all you have to do all summer," said McAlister. 

Becky Crook and Ann Warwick shared a smile as they worked side by side. Both women are members of the Bonner County Gardeners Association and were among volunteers that helped plant flowers throughout the garden. 

They were busy pruning perennials to ensure the small, but vibrant purple flowers would bloom again in the summer. 

"It's nice that everybody comes together to get it done so the garden keeps growing and is beautiful," said Warwick. 

To learn more about volunteering in the Healing Garden or to donate to keep the garden growing, go to bonnergeneral.org/the-healing-garden. If you would like to be part of the gardening team of volunteers, please contact Kate McAlister at 208-265-1159 or by email at [email protected].

    Healing Garden volunteers talk with each other as they clean the garden.
  

    A Healing Garden volunteer uses a leaf blower to clear fallen leaves at the garden's annual cleanup event.