TheBurg

05.15 | The Burg | 15 A MAJor Joy Writer, artist and oral surgeon Frederick Frank— who worked alongside Dr. Albert Schweitzer in Africa—created life-size sculptures depicting the infamous destruction in Hiroshima, while allowing viewers to reflect on the power of new life and hope that is born after horror. Long-time coordinator Michael Lehman designed the main garden beds when PSR first created the Peace Garden. Five years ago, Gwen Lehman took over as coordinator, and, each year, along with PSR volunteers, leads the task of planting all of the flowers and beautifying the garden. "Physicians for Social Responsibility is primarily in charge of the design, maintenance and upkeep, but the Peace Garden has been a true partnership with the city of Harrisburg," said Lehman, explaining that the city provides the land, water and some mowing. "ey have been great to work with during these 20 years. is is a really positive public/private partnership that I'd really love to see more of." is cooperation has allowed Harrisburg-area residents to take time away from their busy lives and to be inspired and to enjoy the peace that only nature can offer. "I feel good when I'm there, partly because of its beauty and partly because of the inspiration of the things I read when I'm there," said Lehman. "It is a major joy for me." Planting and pruning, she experiences first-hand how much the garden has touched people. "Almost always, someone stops with appreciation or they call things out as they are running by," she said. "I think people really do appreciate the fact that there is a place like this in the city. Sometimes, people will hand me $20 while I'm working." Lehman also believes that the Peace Garden brings people together in a community who otherwise can be alienated from one another. "ere are typically deep divisions in greater Harrisburg, between people who are financially challenged and who are not," she said. "Peace Garden is really a space where all aspects of our community come together. We all need to be reminded of the power of ideas for good, and I think natural beauty is the most effective way of taking us outside of ourselves." keeP PeACe ALIve Maintaining the Peace Garden takes a large commitment of resources. PSR has a core group of volunteers dedicated to ensuring that the garden continues to thrive, but, as with any volunteer effort, donations of time are much needed, especially around the middle of May. "In one day, we'll put in about 1,000 individual plants," Lehman said. "at's the time of greatest need in terms of physical labor." PSR also needs volunteers who can help with routine weeding in the summer, she added. And, of course, donations are always welcomed. "is is an expensive endeavor, to put in the number of flowers we plant every year," said Lehman. "We put in the irrigation system, which was expensive. We hire a landscaping company to do heavy lifting for us, and they edge all of the beds." Each October, PSR holds an annual banquet, which is a major fundraiser for the garden. Also, it has established an endowment fund through e Foundation for Enhancing Communities to help support the work. "All the funds to carry out the mission are privately provided by Physicians for Social Responsibility, other individuals and organizations," said Jones. ose wishing to donate funds to the Peace Garden can do so by contacting e Foundation for Enhancing Communities at 717-236-5040 or by visiting www.tfec.org. For more information about the Harrisburg-Hershey chapter of the Physicians for Social Responsibility and the Peace Garden, visit www.psr.org/chapters/ harrisburg.

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