‘Melissa’s Garden’ is a project being carried out in memory of Melissa Anderson Donahue by her close friends, family, and colleagues who want to continue to spread her love and compassion for the community she held so close to her heart.

As a South Boston native, Melissa began working at MAB (Mass. Association for the Blind) in 2005 as a house manager. Over the years, Melissa developed close personal relationships with her participants, introducing them to her family, bringing them to her home, and taking them out on adventures.

At the root of Melissa’s work was compassion and empathy. She would always want to apply a more personal caring touch to everyone and ensure their living spaces and daily lives were as fulfilled as we expect ours to be.

The goal of ‘Melissa’s Garden’ is to raise funds to better adorn the 30 group homes of MAB  participants with beautiful gardens, flowers, herbs and even interior improvements.

This Sunday, on September 24th, we will start planting our first flowers for an MAB group home on Chinian Path in Newton, the same home Melissa was first hired to manage 15 years ago. Throughout her time at MAB, Melissa’s impact was noted and celebrated as she climbed the ladder ending her career as the Director of Residential Services, overseeing all of the group homes.

But we need your help! MAB is entirely state-funded, so those dollars are typically allocated in a very regimented manner to essential services. Since this is a new venture that we hope to continue each year at all 22 homes, we need all the help we can in realizing this vision.  You can make a donation here! 

Thank you so much for your consideration and support. We look forward to spreading Melissa’s care, joy and passion one garden at a time!

Sincerely,

Christopher Anderson-Keim (Melissa’s brother)