Three years ago James Edmondson began the Yours, Ours, Mine Courtyard and Sensory Garden in the hopes of one day having residents who live and work within the community relax and appreciate nature's offerings. Yet, with inadequate finances and sparse volunteers, the community center is having a difficult time in completing the project.

Since January 2003, YOM (Yours, Ours, Mine Community Center) has lost $288,000 in funding. In a struggle to receive resources and services, Edmondson, CEO of YOM, is looking toward the community for assistance.

"I saw the garden as an opportunity to give back to the community, providing a place where people can find solace and a place to remember loved ones," said Edmondson. "The fact that we are being threatened to be eliminated and closed down in 2003-2004 by the county budget, we need people to help support our efforts in fundraising."

The Community Courtyard and Sensory Garden offers a unique way to honor an individual, living or deceased, and a perfect way to have the name of a family, friend, neighbor, community group, club or business remembered in perpetuity. It will include pathways paved with commemorative bricks, benches, trees and plantings, so individuals with sight and hearing impairments can experience nature's bounties through their more enhanced senses.

YOM is looking for volunteers to install a sprinkler system and an electrical system, in addition to having a landscaper tend to the area. At the present time, passersby looking at the garden can see an eight-foot fence around a courtyard area, approximately 45 feet by 25 feet, filled with sand and lines formed to make walkways for bricks.

"But in time, we hope it to be much, much more," said Edmondson. "I hope that people will help us. It is a worthwhile project that brings the community together and it is nice to buy a brick in honor of a family member."

Project Coordinator Louise Cassano encourages the community to be a part of the project, the first ever of its kind in Levittown. Bricks may be purchased for a $100 tax-deductible contribution. Other sponsorships, which add trees and shrubs, are available in amounts up to $25,000.

"It is an opportunity to involve the community and the young people," said Edmondson. "You have to be creative and have a creative way to raise funding and at the same time beautify the area."

Edmondson also said that there are over 17,000 homes in the Levittown community and if each of them donated a mere five dollars, their contribution would make a substantial difference.

Currently, YOM, which has been around for 39 years, has sold and received donations for 70 bricks. "Some people have donated bricks in memory of people who were instrumental with the development of YOM through the years," said Cassano. "But, many bricks have also been donated for families and businesses throughout the Levittown community."

There are sponsorship opportunities offered to those who donate. In addition to the specified benefits for each sponsorship, all sponsors will receive permanent donor recognition on the YOM Donor Recognition Wall, recognition on the YOM web site Special Tribute page, Early Bird recognition at the September groundbreaking ceremony and general recognition at all events, including Opening Day Ceremony. The YOM Donor Recognition Wall will be located on the side of the building at the south end of the facilities inside the courtyard.

In conjunction with fundraising and broadening outreach to the community, YOM provides many services for nearly 7,000 individuals through universal pre-kindergarten, before and after school childcare, family life/youth development, senior nutrition and adult daycare programs. The funding from this project will support the programs the center provides.

Any residents who are interested in volunteering may contact Janet Engelhardt at 796-6633 x264. To find out more about the Courtyard and Sensory Garden, log onto www.yoursoursmine.org or email YOM at info@yoursoursmine.org.