This spring, something beautiful is taking root at Someren Glen. It looks like a garden, but it’s really much more than that. It’s an outdoor space that reflects the care, craftsmanship, generosity, and deep connection between neighbors, community, and purpose.
A Space Renewed by Many Hands
When the Someren Glen team noticed the resident garden boxes needed attention, they saw more than just a needed repair project. They saw an opportunity to restore something meaningful to daily life in the community.
These garden boxes aren’t simply places to plant flowers or vegetables. They’re spaces where residents spend time outdoors, connect with one another, and experience the quiet joy of watching something grow.
Executive Director Steve DeBelle brought this vision forward, and Craig Anguilm and Larry Young from the Someren Glen Maintenance team dedicated more than forty hours of hands-on work to bring it to life. Each box was sanded, rebuilt, and refined with care and pride.
This work took shape alongside already full schedules and the daily rhythm of community life. As Building Operations Manager, Craig balances priorities across the community, yet he and Larry still made time to see this project through with care and intention.
Craig shared that in his four years at Someren Glen, it has truly become home. Renewing the garden boxes was his way of creating something meaningful for the residents who make it so special. Their work reflects both skill and a willingness to go above and beyond—quietly shaping daily life in meaningful ways.
A Gift Rooted in Love
This transformation was made possible through a meaningful gift shared in honor of a loved one who once called Someren Glen home—a gift that carries memory, love, and legacy.
Chaplain Cindy Simpson, who has been part of this vision from the beginning, will help bring the community together on June 10 to bless the renewed garden boxes and celebrate this shared space.
As the vision took shape, we c
onnected with a member of our CLC family who had previously made a generous gift in memory of his mother, who once called Someren Glen home. When we shared the idea, it resonated deeply, and he graciously allowed us to direct his memorial gift to support this project.
Together, the generosity of these kind supporters will allow us to add more garden boxes for current and future Someren Glen residents and enhance the patio for the summer celebration with bright, colorful annual flowers—creating an inviting space to gather and enjoy the beauty of Colorado outdoors.
Why Gardens Matter
Gardens offer a quiet space with a powerful impact. They invite movement and fresh air, create a sense of purpose and routine, and encourage connection through shared experiences. They engage the senses and bring moments of joy into everyday life.
Raised garden boxes in particular make gardening more accessible for older adults living with mobility challenges, putting plants within hands reach.
For many older adults, time spent in a garden supports physical health, emotional wellbeing, and a deep sense of belonging. The impact goes beyond what is planted. It is about what grows within each person and within the community.
Updating the garden boxes is a project that seems simple but truly makes a difference in daily life.
Celebrate a Life Through Giving
The most meaningful gifts reflect a life lived and a love shared. Memorial and honorarium gifts are a kind and lasting way to celebrate a loved one while carrying forward what mattered most to them.
A gift in honor or memory of someone you love can help create spaces like this—places where connection, care, and community continue to flourish.
You can make a gift in memory or in honor of a loved one online with a credit card at Give Today | Christian Living Communities or by mailing a check to:
Christian Living Communities
c/o Donor Relations
9570 S Kingston Ct, Ste 300
Englewood, CO 80112
Please make sure to indicate who you are remembering or honoring with your gift.
About the Author
Stephanie Manley is the Director of Philanthropy at Christian Living Communities. She has demonstrated a passion for building relationships with residents and staff. As a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE), Stephanie is committed to ensuring our organization maintains ethical and accountable fundraising principles. She is passionate about being part of a mission-driven organization that invests in providing older adults with compassionate and purposeful living opportunities.
