Chilton Garden

Dedicated in memory of Matt Simon, a Chilton Medical Center cafeteria employee, Chilton Garden opened in Fall 2021. Matt lost his life to COVID-19 on Christmas Eve in 2020 at age 74. Hospital staff members thought it was fitting to name a garden after a team member who brought a sandwich and smile to customers day in and day out.

So, how did Chilton Garden come about? According to Bill Daniels, Chilton’s director of operations, employees expressed interest in a garden and growing wholesome food; positive activities for employees support the hospital’s commitment to healthy living and wellness. Along the way, dedicating the garden to Matt’s memory came into play.

“Matt was known for his big smile. He greeted regulars by their names when they walked in and knew what they normally wanted for lunch,” says Daniels. “Everybody liked Matt. He went above and beyond.”

Though a contractor built the garden, employees, led by security officer Bob Martello, do the weeding, planting and maintenance. These volunteer planters often buddy up and enjoy the communal feel of working together. Tomatoes, cucumbers, a variety of peppers, eggplant and herbs grow in the garden.

“What we harvest, we bring back into the hospital. We had a great Eggplant Parmigiana Day. It was an enormous success. We notified everyone that it was happening, and our chefs did a wonderful job of preparing it. It was nice for employees to see the fruits of their labor. People really seem to enjoy being part of this,” says Daniels. “We are extremely proud of our garden. It may not be the largest garden in the world, but it was built with love and purpose. People are proud of the work they are doing and dedicating it to Matt made it so meaningful to a lot of us.”

Debbie Walsh has 30 years of experience writing for various newspapers and, more recently, as a ghost blogger. She enjoys dining out with friends, reading and playing golf.