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By ALEXANDRIA
BOURNONVILLE
MENOMINEE- A Menominee organization that helps veterans saw growth in a new non-profit status.
Raven Wood Gardens, owned by Lou Anne Bates and her husband Craig, helps veterans and their caregivers find a sense of peace through gardening. The Bates 'founded the Menominee-based organization, at N4983 on M-35, in 2020 to help community veterans, veteran's spouses and caregivers.
Raven Wood Gardens offers private use of its expansive grounds by appointment only.
Lou Anne Bates said this practice allows gardeners to avoid interruptions.
Attendees are encouraged to bring someone they love, their therapist, a group of close friends.
Even service animals are welcome, the goal is to help people feel comfortable during their evening enjoying nature.
Bates herself cares for her husband, who is a veteran. She found out the importance of self-care first hand after she was diagnosed with Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP), which made it more difficult to to care for her husband.
With the support of their business partners and a new generous donor, Raven Wood Gardens officially gained its 501(c)(3) Non-Profit organization status. Bates plans to bring on more volunteers to help with both the gardens and future events. Those include a Grand Reopening from May 26-28, the organization's annual Let's Grow Together Contest from May 26 to the end of August, a bigfoot convention, and a summer Caregiver Retreat.
Questions can be directed to Lou Anne Bates by calling 715-923-9362 or sinding an email to bates.smartchoice@gmail.com.
Alexandria Bournonville can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 206. Her email address is abournonville@miningjournal.net.