NEWPORT — Smoky Mountain Humane Society (SMHS) has announced it is building the Smoky Mountain Rainbow Bridge and Gardens. There will be gardens, memorials and a special area dedicated to police and military K9 heroes.
SMHS Board President Ali Chiaradio, Vice President Sara Kenney and Jan Powarzynkski explained the project in detail.
Kenney said Chiaradio had floated the idea, and the project has been greeted with enthusiasm. The bridge, to be built on the grounds of SMHS, will allow pet owners to place mementos from their animals that have passed away, and there will be a special area where pet cremains can be scattered if the owners wish to do so.
The ladies visited the Rainbow Bridge at Lake Lure, North Carolina. They said although they had no connection to any of the animals memorialized there they felt an emotional response.
“We want to be able to reach out to pet owners on all levels. We want to reach out to those who have pets, need pets or who have lost pets,” Kenney explained.
They hope that people will travel from all around to see the bridge, and that the bridge and gardens will help add to the continuing growth of the Newport area.
“Our vision is to provide a touching and thoughtful way to remember beloved pets that have passed away,” Kenney said. There will be a large enclosed area that will be turned into a healing and comfort space for visitors to find solace and remember their pets. Visitors may leave their pet’s collar or rocks painted in remembrance of their pets at the Rainbow Bridge.”
The area will have benches, gardens and walking paths.
Lowe’s of Newport has donated all the materials for building the bridge and fencing the entire area. A group of employees will be donating their time to paint the bridge. Lowe’s of Greeneville has donated garden supplies and plants and a group of employees will be taking an area of the gardens to plant and decorate.
Valspar Paint Company has donated all the paint the project will require and Out of the Blue Concrete is donating all the concrete work and concrete for the entrance area and they are designing two garden areas. A Baileyton businesswoman, Angie Buckner, has donated hundreds of bricks for use in the project.
Artist Shannon Kelley will be painting a mural on the fence showing animals waiting for their owners. Rural Medical Services CEO George Barton has donated his time as well as all the gravel needed for the walking paths. Rural Medical employees will be designing and planting an area of the garden.
“Team Farrell has done a tremendous job of clearing and grading not only the bridge area, but three other sections of shelter land so six more dog runs can be added,” Chiaradio said.
Bobby Cyphers, who owns Garden in a Wood, will help with plant selection, placement and care. Newport Garden Club will also assist with those efforts.
The actual rainbow bridge will be built by Lee Shults. Local scouts have volunteered to help with projects
Fundraiser
A fundraiser is being held for the Smoky Mountain Rainbow Bridge and Gardens. Orders are being taken for commemorative bricks. Individuals may purchase a four-inch by eight-inch brick with up to three lines for $50 or with a logo for $60. A larger eight-inch by eight-inch brick is available for $200 or with a logo for $225. Custom business logos are available for a one-time setup fee of $50.
Up to 18 characters can be included per line and spaces and punctuation are included in the character count. All characters are upper case. Any logos will be placed at the top of the brick with the engraving below. Any bricks you donate to SMHS will be tax-deductible because SMHS is a 501©3 charitable organization. To order a brick, visit www.bricksrus.com/donorsite/rainbowsmhs.
Updates
A Smoky Mountain Rainbow Bridge Facebook page will be coming soon with all the information and updates including the specifics about when the bridge and gardens will open.
“Our hope is that one day all companion animals will go to the Rainbow Bridge knowing that they were loved,” Chiaradio said.
Who is SMHS?
SMHS is a no-kill animal shelter. It is a 501©3 charity that has a platinum level seal of transparency from CANDID (formerly GuideStar). The all-volunteer board is fully engaged in the shelter’s day-to-day operations.
Changes implemented by the organization include strict policies to improve the living conditions to properly care for the animals in the organization’s care. The shelter is open Tuesday through Saturday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. The shelter is located at 420 Humane Way in Newport and can be reached by calling (423) 532-8475.
Most Popular
Comments / 0