Our club build the Rotary Healing Butterfly Garden for the Children's Advocacy Center (CAC) so that they had an outdoor space for counseling and sessions with their clients, most of whom are abused children and their families. After months of exploration, research, planning and fund-raising, the garden was built in the summer of 2017 and dedicated in September 2017. This garden represents a collaboration with CAC, the Village of Hoffman Estates, Rotarians from the Rotary Club of Schaumburg-Hoffman Estates and local businesses who banded together to build something beautiful.
There are so many people to thank that it is difficult to know where to begin. However, the outstanding leadership and persistent dedication of Rotarian Eileen Higginbotham was instrumental in this project from day one. At the very beginning of this project, the vision, generosity and commitment of Irv Schulz, the owner of John Irvin Landscaping helped create and execute the plans that turned an open field into a sanctuary for children and their families and for the butterflies that are so essential to our eco-systems.
There are three main courtyards to the garden all surrounded by plants many, planted specifically to attract butterflies, with seating in separate areas allow for outdoor group counseling. Numerous CAC clients and their families have used the garden. An extra benefit of the garden is that it's located on Park District land in a residential area near several schools, making it readily available to the entire community.
In the years since its opening, Schaumburg-Hoffman Estates Rotarian have continued to support and enhance the garden. We have been able to add seating options and created shade features within the garden. The plants have matured and created the desired habitat for butterflies. Each month, beginning in the springtime and continuing until late autumn a team of Rotarians spend a Saturday morning maintaining the garden. We have been rewarded this year by the arrival of Monarch butterflies.
For more Butterfly Garden Pictures, please check out the photo album section in the right hand column of this hoempage.
