04/27/2026
Aspen Ridge Lodge here in Didsbury is looking for donations to create a garden for the senior residents.
This is a super long post.
I'm involved in this project and I'm looking for people to join me in fundraising for this amazing project. Any donation is appreciated.
Attached is the concept drawing.
Here is the information:
ASPEN RIDGE MEMORY GARDEN
Community Fundraising Campaign Plan
Didsbury, Alberta | Campaign Launch: April 23, 2026
Campaign Goal: $66,852 | Build Timeline: 18 Months
A GARDEN FOR OUR COMMUNITY'S MOST CHERISHED MEMBERS
The Aspen Ridge Memory Garden will be a safe, beautiful, and therapeutic outdoor space attached to the Aspen Ridge Seniors Facility in Didsbury. Designed specifically for residents living with dementia and memory challenges, this garden will give them access to nature, birdsong, flowers, and fresh air — proven to reduce agitation, lift spirits, and create precious moments of connection with family.
This is not just a garden. It is a legacy built by the people of Didsbury — for the people of Didsbury.
WHAT WE ARE BUILDING — THE GARDEN
The total project budget is $66,852. Every element has been costed so the community can sponsor specific items and see exactly what their contribution builds.
ITEM QTY TOTAL SPONSOR UNIT DONATE # SPOTS
Benches 9 $13,500 1/3 of a Bench $500 27 spots
Fence Sections 250 ft $12,000 One 8-ft Section $384 31 spots
Concrete Path 1,500 sq ft $22,500 10 sq ft of Path $150 150 spots
Trees (15-ft) 4 $2,000 1 Large Tree $500 4 spots
Trees (6-ft) 12 $4,200 1 Medium Tree $350 12 spots
Large Shrubs 25 $1,500 1 Large Shrub $50 25 spots
Small Shrubs 30 $1,050 1 Small Shrub $40 30 spots
Composite Deck 900 sq ft $8,352 10 sq ft of Deck $92.80 90 spots
Raised Flower Boxes 10 $1,290 1 Flower Box $129 10 spots
Bird Baths 2 $460 1 Bird Bath $230 2 spots
TOTAL $66,852 381 spots
FOUNDING GIFT On April 23, 2026, community champion Debora Rice-Salomons will donate $20,000 to launch the campaign — bringing us immediately to 30% of our goal. Remaining target: $46,852.
18-MONTH CAMPAIGN TIMELINE
The goal is simple: raise $66,852 and break ground as soon as possible. Here is how we get there.
PHASE TARGET KEY ACTIVITIES
Phase 1 LAUNCH
Apr – May 2026 $25,000 • April 23 public launch event with Debora Rice-Salomons founding gift announcement
• Garden naming contest opens (community votes on the garden's official name)
• Sponsor packages distributed to businesses, service clubs, and individuals
• Campaign website and social media pages go live
• Submit Alberta CFEP Small grant application (deadline May 15, 2026)
Phase 2 MOMENTUM
Jun – Sep 2026 $50,000 • Summer community garden walk and social (BBQ, music, garden preview display)
• Business 'Day of Caring' recruitment — companies sponsor AND show up to build
• School partnerships — students design plaques or sponsor a shrub
• Lions and Elks charity events (dinner, auction, or casino night)
• Bottle depot drive — families donate returnables to the garden
• Announce garden name winner and zone-naming contest results
Phase 3 FINAL PUSH
Oct – Dec 2026 $66,852 • Fall fundraising gala / harvest dinner with silent auction
• Holiday giving campaign — 'Give a Tree' or 'Plant a Memory' gift donations
• Grant notification received (CFEP — result expected Oct/Nov 2026)
• Corporate matching gift push — employers match staff donations
• Confirm all sponsors and finalize donor recognition design (plaques, bricks, etc.)
Phase 4 BUILD
Jan – Oct 2027 GARDEN OPEN! • Design finalized and permits submitted (Jan–Feb 2027)
• Community 'Days of Caring' — build the fence, plant the trees, lay the path
• Spring planting day — family event with residents, families, and volunteers
• Garden dedication ceremony — ribbon cutting, plaque unveiling
• Welcome residents to their Memory Garden for the very first time
MAKING DIDSBURY TAKE OWNERSHIP
The MVSHF board is small and needs the community to champion this project. The following strategies are designed so that Didsbury residents, businesses, and families feel this garden belongs to them — because it does.
NAME THE GARDEN — Community Naming Contest
Nothing builds attachment faster than a name chosen by the people. Before the campaign launches, open a community-wide contest to name the garden. Accept submissions from residents of all ages, then hold a public vote.
• Open submissions April 23 through May 31, 2026
• Entries submitted via a simple online form, the library, or local businesses
• Public vote held in June — at the library, Town Hall, and online
• Winner announced at the summer garden walk event
• Each zone within the garden (bench area, tree grove, deck, flower beds, bird bath corner) can also be named — additional mini-contests for each zone
IDEA Invite school classes to submit names and present them at a community event. Children become invested, and their families follow.
SPONSOR-A-PIECE — Individual & Family Donations
Give every donor something tangible. The donation tiers above let anyone in Didsbury point to a specific item and say 'I gave that.' Add a recognition layer:
• Engraved donor plaque at the garden entrance listing all contributors
• 'Memory brick' or paver program — donate $150 and have a personalized paver laid in the garden path
• Bench dedications — full bench sponsorship ($1,500) includes a personalized plaque on the bench
• Tree tags — each large tree includes a small weatherproof tag with the sponsor's dedication
• Raised flower box plaques — name a box in memory of or in honour of a loved one
This allows families of current residents to make a donation that honours their loved one — and creates a lasting, visible memorial in the garden their family member will enjoy.
DAYS OF CARING — Businesses as Builders
Invite local businesses to do more than write a cheque. A 'Day of Caring' means a company sponsors a portion of the materials AND brings their team to install it on a designated build day. This model is proven to build deep loyalty and pride.
• 'Fence it Forward' — a company buys 10 fence sections ($3,840) and brings their crew for a half-day fence-building event
• 'Plant a Legacy' day — a business sponsors all 12 medium trees and helps plant them with staff and residents' families
• 'Pave the Way' — a local contractor sponsors a section of concrete pathway and donates their labor
• Coordinate 4–6 build days in summer and fall 2026, each with a social element (lunch, music, thank-you recognition)
IDEA Work with Didsbury businesses to host 'Fundraising Fridays' — a percentage of sales on a designated Friday goes to the garden. Easy, popular, and shareable on social media.
FAMILY EVENTS — Connecting Residents' Loved Ones
The families of Aspen Ridge residents are the most motivated donors. Help them channel that love into action.
• 'Memory Stone' workshop — families decorate painted river stones during a visit; stones are placed in the garden; small donation requested
• 'Photo Garden' fundraiser — families submit a favourite photo of their loved one; mounted as a weatherproof display in the garden at launch; donation to participate
• 'Family Planting Day' — an afternoon where families visit, plant flowers, and spend time outdoors with residents; donations at the gate
• Holiday card sale — families and residents create art that is printed as greeting cards, sold in town to benefit the garden
• Host a spring tea or luncheon at Aspen Ridge — families invited, donations encouraged, live music provided by volunteers
The goal is simple: give families a reason to visit, and an easy way to give. Many have watched helplessly as dementia changes their loved one. This garden gives them something hopeful to be part of.
SCHOOL & YOUTH ENGAGEMENT
• Partner with Didsbury High School and Kneehill Christian School to involve students in the project
• Art contest — students design the donor recognition plaque or a mural for the garden
• Environmental science project — students design the planting layout and present to the Foundation
• Service learning hours — students can volunteer at build days and planting events
• Youth group fundraiser — Scouts, 4H, or community groups host a car wash, bake sale, or bottle drive
COMMUNITY EVENTS — Building Momentum All Year
• Spring 2026 Launch Party (April 23) — outdoor event, live music, first donations, naming contest opens
• Summer Garden Walk (July 2026) — guided walk imagining where each element will go, BBQ, silent auction
• Community Trivia Night (August 2026) — local knowledge quiz, $20/person, prizes donated by businesses
• Harvest Gala (October 2026) — formal dinner, keynote speaker on dementia care and sensory gardens, live auction
• Holiday Giving Drive (November–December 2026) — 'Plant a Memory for Christmas' gifting campaign
• Garden Dedication Day (Summer 2027) — ribbon cutting, resident garden tour, naming plaque unveiled
GRANTS & MATCHING PROGRAMS
The Foundation should aggressively pursue grant funding alongside community donations. Every grant dollar is a dollar that doesn't need to be raised in the community.
• Alberta CFEP Small Grant — up to $125,000 matching grant for community green spaces. Deadline: May 15, 2026. This is a strong fit and should be the top priority.
• New Horizons for Seniors Program (federal) — grants for projects led by or benefiting seniors in the community
• Community Initiatives Program (Alberta) — supports initiatives that enhance and enrich Alberta communities
• Enabling Accessibility Fund (federal) — for accessible outdoor spaces; this garden's accessible pathways and deck are a strong fit
• Corporate matching — many employers match charitable donations; encourage donors to check with their HR department
• Alzheimer Society of Alberta 'Anything for Alzheimer's' program — allows independent fundraisers to raise money and donate to Alzheimer's causes; can be used as a co-branding partnership
GRANT NOTE A successful CFEP Small application (up to $125,000) could cover nearly the entire project cost if paired with the community funds raised. Apply May 2026. Result expected October/November 2026.
SOCIAL MEDIA & STORYTELLING
This campaign needs a heartbeat. Post regularly and make it personal.
• Weekly 'Why We're Building This' posts — short videos or photos of residents, staff, and families
• 'Donor Spotlight' posts — tag local donors and celebrate their contribution
• Fundraising thermometer graphic updated monthly — share on Facebook, Instagram, and in the Didsbury Review
• 'Garden Vision' post series — render or illustrate each element as it gets funded
• Create a campaign hashtag, e.g. or
• Partner with local media (Didsbury Review, Mountain View Gazette) for monthly campaign updates
ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES — WHO DOES WHAT
PARTNER SUGGESTED ROLE
MVSHF Campaign leadership, grant applications, donor recognition, financial management, official receipts
Didsbury Chamber of Commerce Coordination, business outreach, Day of Caring recruitment, community communications
Lions Club Host a major fundraising event; champion individual memberships; volunteer at build days
Elks Lodge Host a fundraising dinner or casino night; encourage member donations; Day of Caring participant
Town of Didsbury Letter of support for grants; in-kind services; promote via Town channels; invite at public events
Didsbury Historical Society Garden naming process, historical storytelling, co-host heritage-themed event
Residents' Families Memory stones, photo project, family planting day, personal donations, spread the word
Local Businesses Days of Caring, Fundraising Fridays, corporate donations, in-kind sponsorship
Schools & Youth Groups Art contest, planting day, service hours, bake sales, bottle drives
HOW TO DONATE
• Online: mvsh.ca/mvsh-foundation
• By cheque: Payable to Mountain View Senior Housing Foundation — mail to #301, 6501 51 Street, Olds, AB T4H 1Y6
• In person: Drop-off at [Didsbury location TBD — e.g. Town Office, Chamber, participating businesses]
• Skip the Depot: Donate your returnables through Skip the Depot and direct proceeds to MVSHF
• Employer matching: Ask your HR department if your employer matches charitable donations
All donations to MVSHF receive an official charitable tax receipt.
"They built this community for us.
Now let's build something beautiful for them."
Mountain View Senior Housing Foundation | mvsh.ca | [email protected] | (403) 556-2957
My aunt lived her final years in this facility and it would be nice to support the project.
