Wellness Committee grant started initiative, which is now growing
Benches placed around Nackawic a few years ago have recently been given plaques to honour and remember loved ones who have passed.
Members of Nackawic and Area Wellness (NAW) organized the project, which serves the Nackawic-Millville Rural Community.
Dot MacElwain, Director of Nackawic and Area Wellness, said this idea started when benches were placed around town after the local NB Housing apartments approached their committee.
“The seniors loved going to the mall, but it was just a little farther than they could comfortably walk without resting,” she said. MacElwain pointed out that most of those seniors didn’t have vehicles, which meant they had to walk. She said they asked if NAW could arrange for some seating along the way.
The Wellness Committee then applied for and received a Community Investment Grant from the provincial government. The project was a group effort, with help from local carpenters Ken Gallagher, Joe Broczowski, Freeman and Graham Waugh, and Pam Patridge, with support from the Nackawic-Millville Rural Community.
Another idea was to use the benches for memorial plaques.
“The idea was put out to the communities in the area, and the available spaces for plaques were quickly taken,” said MacElwain. She said the idea received such a strong response that they made two more benches: one using donated lumber and the other funded by the NAW.
“Being able to remember a family member in this way gives the family a sense of doing something special in their memory. It is a lasting tribute,” said MacElwain.
She said that thanks to Alton Bradley of Broad Meadow Trophies, NAW was able to have plaques made and attached to the available benches.
“At present there are eight benches in place with memorial plaques on them,” said MacElwain.
She said that, because of the positive feedback, they plan to reapply for a grant to add more memorial benches, including some in other locations in the Nackawic-Millville Rural Community.
Ami Morgan is one resident who had a plaque made to honour her former stepson who passed away in 2021. Geoff was a former student at Nackawic High School and loved by many. Morgan requested that his plaque be placed on the bench located directly across from the high school.
“I thought it would be good to encourage others that there is always hope. I know that especially teens deal with a lot of anxiety and stress. I want them to know they are not alone. That’s why I wanted it placed across from the high school because many high school kids sit there,” said Morgan.
“He was a brilliant kid, and I was heartbroken to know he didn’t realize just how much he was loved,” she said.
She said she hopes others will see the plaque and take away a message.
“Show up. Listen. Truly listen to someone’s heart when they decide to open up to you. You could save a life. And if someone doesn’t want to share with someone in person, that is why I included the Suicide Help Hotline 988.”
Morgan said she loves the plaque she had made through the NAW initiative. “It looks great, and I love that I can honour Geoff close to home,” she said.
“If a bench saves even one person or helps them realize that one moment in time doesn’t define their life, then we’ve succeeded.”
