Northeast Georgia Medical Center (NGMC) Braselton will be home at some time next year to a one-of-a-kind marble water garden.
Thanks to a signature gift to The Medical Center Foundation from Jack and Janice Frost, owners of Memorial Park Funeral Homes and Cemeteries, The Jack and Janice Frost Water Garden will be constructed by the public entrance to the Emergency Department, according to a press statement from the hospital.
"We are grateful for Jack and Janice’s willingness to support the inaugural fundraising campaign to assure health care excellence for the community,” said Nancy Colston, president and chief development officer of The Medical Center Foundation.
“As a successful self-made entrepreneur, Jack has long considered it an honor to give back to the people and communities it serves. In addition, the garden will create a lasting legacy for a special couple who have given much of themselves and their resources for the benefit of others.”
The statement said at the age of 85, Jack Frost still continuously works and seeks adventure. As an art enthusiast, his around-the-world travels have enabled him to share with the community his eclectic, international, private art collection. A number of commissioned pieces of work are on public display on the grounds of Memorial Park and Memorial Park South Cemeteries. The Frosts have established relationships with Vietnamese and Chinese village artisans and have studied their ancient craft of meticulously hand-carving large marble sculptures and fountains.
The gift will mark a step forward for The Medical Center Foundation’s master outdoor space plan. The highlight of the water garden will include a commissioned marble fountain from Asia, which will be blended with materials that complement the architecture of the hospital to create a place of peace and tranquility for patients, their families, visitors, staff and the community. The gift also includes a maintenance endowment to care for the destination into perpetuity.
“Jack and Janice recognize how philanthropy helps us achieve a high standard of care and provide a true healing environment that sets us apart from other hospitals,” said Anthony Williamson, president of NGMC Braselton.
Donor gardens are totally funded through donations and aim to blend art with traditional medicine to create the ultimate environment of hope, healing and wellness, according to the press information.
