That’s Dewey Pettit at the center of the photo, raking newly installed mulch in front of Vista Prairie at Monarch Meadows in North Mankato. Dewey’s Vista Prairie day-job is Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President, but on this beautiful September day, he and seven others from Vista Prairie’s support office were digging, shoveling and planting along with an equal number of hard-working Monarch Meadows staffers.

Debbie Bodine, Vista Prairie’s Office Manager and a leader on the Culture Team, orchestrated the workday along with Monarch Meadow’s Executive Director Kimberly Putz. Debbie is in the photo on the far-left teaming with Monarch’s Activities Manager Dan Pearson to move a tarp.

“This beautification project has brought joy and purpose to all of our lives!” Kim says. The project came about only after residents and their loved ones volunteered to make craft projects and baked items which were donated to the landscaping fundraiser during the community’s monthly Breakfast in the Meadows events.

“It was great to see the pride in the residents’ eyes when their fundraising efforts came through as beautiful bushes, plants, and landscaping,” Kim added. All totaled, the volunteers planted more than 115 shrubs, bushes and flowering plants, topping them off with dozens of mulch bags and 75 wheelbarrow loads of rock around the perimeter of the building and along a recently added patio in back.

In addition to the fundraising effort, two vendors came through with generous contributions – Thomas Tree and Landscaping in North Mankato and By the Yard Furniture, based in Jordan, MN. “We continue to raise funds in anticipation for phase two,” says a hopeful Kim. “We now know how much change a little extra effort can bring about!”

Come see for yourself. Call Sales Manager Kim Hanson (507) 933-4681 to book a tour. Vista Prairie at Monarch Meadows offers 83 one-and-two-bedroom assisted living apartments and 17 care suites.