Generosity blooms after school garden vandalized

Businesses, residents team up to restore John Brown's Cougar Patch

RATHDRUM — The Cougar Patch is back on track.

Since the student garden at John Brown Elementary was vandalized last month, several businesses and residents stepped forward to help the school restore its gardens.

"After the vandalism to our school garden, I was full of anger," said sixth-grader Tytus Hughes. "The donations to our school pleased me very much."

Ace Hardware, Rathdrum Hardware, Westwood Nursery and Garden Art and Cedar Mountain Perennials were among the businesses that donated soil, plants and bird baths, feeders, food and homes. Cash donations were also received from the school's parent-teacher organization and residents to buy some of the native plants that were pulled out.

"We couldn't afford to replace things exactly as they were, but with the help … we have been able to make things look nice again," said teacher Fonda Stewart. "The students wanted to restore the areas that were damaged so they did all of the work putting in new soil and plants. They were able to hang new feeders and a lovely bird house."

"We were so sad when the school garden and garden boxes were vandalized," said sixth-grader Audri Hall.

Two sixth-grade girls at the school, who were caught on surveillance, were cited for the damage.

The garden's irrigation line and several plants and flowers were tore out during the incident. Many of the plants had to be thrown away and couldn't be re-planted. Toilet paper was also thrown in the playground and garbage cans were dumped.

Damage to the garden was estimated at $750.

Stewart said she was amazed at the outpouring of community support after the incident.

"We are so thankful for the generosity of our community," she said. "The students had a lot invested in this project and were affected the most when the vandalism occurred."