Summer in Licking County is beautiful to behold – lush green rolling hills, gardens and flowering trees in bloom. Licking County Foundation donors are gardeners, too –sowing seeds of hope in our community. Readers who have visited Licking Memorial Hospital’s Volunteer Garden have enjoyed one donor’s legacy to help Licking County blossom. 

Ora and Katharyn Shannon were lifelong residents of Licking County. Ora was a successful businessman as well as a charter member of The Optimist Club. His wife Katie loved gardening and her flower beds were known to many. When Ora died in 1967, Katie began volunteering at Licking County Memorial Hospital, where she devoted thousands of hours of service right up until a week before her death. 

The Katharyn Wickham Shannon and Ora C. Shannon Memorial Field of Interest Fund, established as a tribute to Katharyn's love of gardening, supports horticultural projects that beautify our community. Support from the Fund allowed Licking Memorial Hospital to establish a Volunteer Garden, recognizing Katie’s service and the hard work of all of its volunteers. Today the garden continues to bring cheer to hospital visitors and guests. 

Are you inspired by something in our community and want to see it flourish? Contact Connie Hawk, Director, Licking County Foundation at (740) 349-3863 x. 101 to learn more about how your legacy can plant seeds of hope for generations to come.