Scout creating garden area for memory care residents

Raj Sambandam’s goal is to give residents of Health Central Park in Winter Garden a comfortable and relaxing outdoor space with his Eagle Scout project. He is building a Forget Me Not Park for the memory care residents at the nursing and rehabilitation center, and his project will include a bench and garden.

“My Eagle Scout project will benefit this community, as I will be creating a space for the memory care residents to spend time with their loved ones or (in) quiet time in nature,” Sambandam said. “This project is special for me, as dementia is often an irreversible and a growing problem. This was an idea I came up with that they could enjoy a nice outside area and not be in their rooms.”

Health Central Park has an arbor in the grassy area at the south entrance that was built by another scout for an Eagle project. Sambandam’s plan is to expand on the structure that’s already there. He is going to build a five-foot bench out of resin and add up to eight large flower pots full of color.
Sambandam decided to build at Health Central Park after speaking to officials at the city of Winter Garden about potential locations for his project. He was connected to the Bloom & Grow Garden Society, and someone in the garden club suggested the nursing home.

He has been working with club member Kay VanderLey to design the garden space and coordinating with Ed Bohannon-Dobski of the nursing home.

Sambandam said the garden club is helping him select flowers for the pots. One of his choices is the Forget-Me-Not flower.

Sambandam is looking to raise $2,300 and hopes to complete his fundraising by the end of July so he can finish building his project with the help of his troop by mid-August.

But first, he must collect the necessary funds. He spoke before the Winter Garden Rotary Club a few weeks ago, sharing details of his project and asking for donations. So far, he has raised about $615.

He is a rising junior at Lake Highland Preparatory School in Orlando, where he is a member of Scout Troop 148. He started scouting in fourth grade and enjoys participating in outdoor activities, which have included scuba diving in Key West and taking a 50-mile hike in Arizona. He has devoted many hours to volunteering and has played the piano and cello for residents in another nursing home.

He and his family live in the Windermere-Winter Garden area.