PITTSFIELD — Sebasticook Valley Health invites community members to visit five gardens throughout Pittsfield and Newport to benefit cardiac care during the SVH Auxiliary’s Garden Tour on Saturday, July 20. All proceeds from the event will be donated to the SVH Cardiac Care program.

SVH retired employee, Sharon Veilleux, and her husband, Joe, wanted to hold a tour of their garden in Pittsfield to raise money for and awareness of the SVH cardiac program in memory of Sharon’s mother, Irma Stedman, according to a news release. Sharon Veilleux and her family were grateful for the care Stedman received there. Teamed with members of the SVH Auxiliary, the group found more gardens in Pittsfield and Newport to feature that day, which will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

SVH Respiratory therapist William Wright will be at the Veilleux residence throughout the day with information on horticultural therapy, which provides techniques to assist people to learn new skills such as improving memory, cognitive abilities, task initiation, language skills and socialization. Wright will also provide information for people who love gardening, but may need adaptive equipment and techniques to continue enjoying this therapeutic hobby.

“The garden tours are set up like our popular Christmas home tours in that tour participants purchase a brochure to use as their ‘pass’ to view participating gardens on their own throughout the day. But more importantly, the proceeds from this event will be used specifically for the hospital’s cardiac program, which helps patients with heart disease to enjoy productive, healthier lives,” Linda Moon, auxiliary president, said in a the release.

The brochure features driving directions and addresses to each residence and six free tickets that can be used to win more than 20 door prizes that will be on display at the Veilleux residence that day.

Tour brochures are on sale now for $15 and can be purchased by Auxiliary members or at the hospital main lobby in Pittsfield.

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