The DeSoto Civic Garden Club (DCGC) held its monthly meeting on Nov. 1 at the Palmer Home for Children’s Dr. Hughes Francis Wellness Center.
A very informative tour of the Center was given by Anna Bell, Community Outreach Coordinator. The newest addition to Palmer Home is a beautiful 25,000 square foot , state of the art facility which contains classrooms, counseling suites, therapy rooms and recreational areas. It also contains a space for community gatherings and events without compromising the privacy or security of the children living on campus.
Palmer Homes for Children began in 1895 in Columbus as a Presbyterian ministry. It now operates as a non denominational ministry. A campus was added in Hernando with the remainder of the services now transferred. The Columbus home will be closed permanently in December.
Palmer Home emphasizes on Campus Care, Foster Care and Transitional Care and accepts children ages newborn to 17 years old with Transitional Care from ages 18 to 24.
The campus consists of six, 7,000 square foot cottages with permanent house parents or house “heroes” as they are often called.
The DCGC has for many years supported Palmer Home as one of its philanthropy projects by contributing hams and turkeys at Thanksgiving for each of the homes. Contributing backpacks for the children has also been a project in past years.
DeSoto Civic Garden Club is a member of the National Garden Clubs, Inc., Deep South Garden Clubs, Inc., and The Garden Clubs of Mississippi, Inc., Hills and Delta District.
From left, DeSoto Civic Garden Club member Pat Tennant, Palmer Home for Children Community Outreach Coordinator Anna Bell, and Garden Club members Toni Thompson and Elaine White. (Courtesy photo)
