Wings of Comfort: The Retreat Hospice by Saad Outdoor Oasis Transformed by Home Depot's GenerosityAt The Retreat Hospice by Saad, a haven dedicated to providing compassionate care during life's final season, an extraordinary transformation unfolded in 2023, thanks to the benevolent partnership with The Home Depot Foundation. This collaboration showcases the power of community service and highlights the incredible impact that thoughtful gestures can have on the lives of those facing the challenges of hospice care.Each year, local Home Depot stores rally theireams, resources, and expertise for community improvement projects. The range of initiatives is vast, from building homes for veterans to crafting bird sanctuaries for families in need. The Retreat Hospice became a recipient of Home Depot's volunteer projects, turning their grounds into a serene haven for patients and their families.Brian Clifford, the local Home Depot manager, collaborated closely with the dedicated team at Saad to bring to life a project that would resonate with the unique needs of Southern Alabama's population. The result was an oasis designed to connect patients with the tranquility found in nature, particularly through the enchanting world of native birds.One heartwarming suggestion from the family of a guest at The Retreat Hospice led to the creation of bird-friendly spaces visible from patient rooms. When the opportunity arose for Home Depot to enhance the hospice's grounds, the decision was clear a project that aligned with the desires of those seeking solace in the beauty of nature.Home Depot's generous donation included over 20 unique birdhouses, bird baths, feeders, vibrant flowers for a butterfly garden, lush shrubbery, potted plants, and new rock lining the walking trails. The transformation aimed to offer guests and their loved ones a variety of spaces for reflection, connection, and respite.The birdhouses, strategically hung from trees just outside each patients porch, have become focal points where families can be found rocking together, sharing laughter, shedding tears, reading, or simply enjoying quiet moments alone. The addition of beautifully landscaped areas and improved walking trails further enhances the hospice's commitment to providing a peaceful and comforting environment.The collaboration between The Retreat Hospice and Home Depot represents more than just physical improvements; it symbolizes a community coming together to support one another. The project not only contributes to the well-being of current patients and their families but also leaves a lasting legacy of compassion and kindness.To Home Depot, The Retreat Hospice expresses heartfelt gratitude for the choice to partner with them. The generosity and joyful service displayed by Home Depot's "army in orange" have left an indelible mark on the hospice's mission to care for the community with excellence. This transformative project will continue to be a source of comfort and solace for those navigating the final season of life, reminding everyone involved of the profound impact that acts of kindness can have on the human spirit. The Retreat Hospice by Saad is a private, freestanding hospice respite located in Mobile, Alabama.  They offer 24-hour resort-level care.  Contact the Retreat Hospice by Saad at 251-380-3810. 

When Saad set out to build The Retreat, maintaining the connection to nature was imperative. The property sits on 7 acres of undisturbed woodland that contains a gentle slope to the east, providing a quality typically found in the Appalachian highlands. Walking through the property mature water oaks, red oaks, and pines sit densely among the terrain. Owls hoot, birds chirp, and the transcendental elements of an untouched landscape clear the mind and provide peace for the soul. The property is beautiful, so keeping the aspects of the land or incorporating them into design was paramount. Trees were marked for keeping, plans were changed to include some of the most mature trees, but many still needed to be removed for the building to begin. Saad made contact with tree removal companies, but rather than haul the timber away, it felt only right to use it in the facility. Several companies and contractors insisted the trees were pulpwood at best. Pulpwood is timber with the principle use of making paper products. There was something melancholy about turning these trees into paper products, principally as a hospice company. Our stories live on with our loved ones and we felt these trees should be a part of The Retreats story.A sawyer was found who believed he could turn this timber into beautiful wood. Robert fit every aspect of the wonderfully simple definition of a sawyer: One who saws. Fueled by coffee and donuts, Robert diligently sawed trees down to usable lumber. Giant trees were cut for columns and beams in the lobby, smaller timber transformed into shiplap and trim for the hallways and patient rooms. The milling process took months to complete. The lumber after being cut was then transported to a drying facility before it could be sanded and stained for use. A defining feature of The Retreat is the wood elements incorporated throughout the property and it was made possible by Robert believing this lumber had more to give.Editors Note:  This article was submitted by The Retreat at Saad Hospice.