On Thursday, August 18, Heinen Landscape began installing a brand new irrigation system for the exceptionally inspiring “Sensory Garden” at the Children’s Center for the Visually Impaired (CCVI), located near 31st and Main in Midtown Kansas City.
Heinen started a company tradition of taking on a significant pro bono project for a not-for-profit organization with the 2015 “Total Landscape Makeover” at adoption assistance provider KVC in Olathe, Kansas.
This summer, when a longtime Heinen customer reached out to see if Heinen might be able to help out with a bid for irrigating the Children’s Sensory Garden, the Heinen Landscape & Irrigation team knew this was a special place – and a special opportunity. The team thought, “Why not do the whole CCVI project at no charge?” The decision was unanimous: Heinen decided to do the entire project – pro bono!
“The mission of CCVI is to prepare children with visual impairments, including those with multiple other disabilities, to reach their highest potential in the sighted world,” said Dave Heinen, founder of Heinen Landscape. “We just have a real passion for what they do there and decided to lend them a hand.”
“Our donors have been incredibly generous, we’ve been able to do so much. Because of the donations from Heinen and others, we’ve been able to add a multitude of plants, trees, and other urban materials,” says CCVI’s Executive Director, Nicola Heskett. Children’s Center for the Visually Impaired opened in 1952, and has since served over 10,000 children who are blind or visually impaired. Students can experience scents and textures of a multitude of Kansas City flowers and other plants. In addition to the variety of textured plantings, the Sensory Garden also includes a 180-foot-long wall with pieces of the KC Streetcar rails, various sizes and types of city pipes, and multiple other textured items from urban Kansas City. It’s a great way for kids with visual and other disabilities to get to really touch and feel the textures of Kansas City in a fun and safe urban oasis-like atmosphere.
“It’s always a pleasure giving back’” said Will Maynard, one of Heinen’s Irrigation Specialists. “We’re honored to be able to come out and help the children of our community.”
Heinen Landscape & Irrigation is grateful for the opportunity to help such a great cause!