2023 Barrie Bain Volunteers of the Year

Hatcher Garden would not be what it is today without the help of many individuals. Our volunteers are precious to the fabric of the organization. Last year, over 3,000 hours were served by volunteers at Hatcher Garden, and this year will break that record. Thank you to all of our volunteers, affectionately called the Hearts of Hatcher.

Each year, we announce the Barrie Bain Volunteer of the Year at Twilight in the Garden, a beloved tradition that publicly recognizes individuals who have dedicated much time, expertise, and other resources to benefit Hatcher Garden. This year, we were honored to acknowledge two individuals at this year’s event who spend time working in the garden each week: Joyce Coggins and Patrick Long.

Joyce Coggins

If you have walked the trail at Hatcher Garden and noticed the hundreds of memorial and honorarium stones, you can thank Joyce Coggins. She walks the garden several times each week and ensures that all engraved stones are free of leaves, dirt, and other debris. Joyce also spent the better part of last year logging the location, inscription, and the size of all memorials and honorariums that cover the 13-acre woodland preserve, providing the Garden with an invaluable resource for reference.

Joyce grew up in the mountains of Western North Carolina on a large, wooded property with creeks, wooden bridges, waterfalls, and wildlife. Naturally, Hatcher Garden felt right at home to her when she began volunteering during the pandemic. She found a sense of order and peace in the Garden, among the trees, as the world outside was in chaos. Joyce kept volunteering because she developed a love for the Garden and its people and wanted to be a part of the special spirit she felt here.

Joyce is a long-time high school and college English teacher who has finally retired (she thinks). She is devoted to her family; her husband Don, two grown children Jennifer and John, and her cat Bandit. Because of her love of writing and her expert knowledge in all things formatting, Joyce has recently assisted in reviewing and writing grants to help provide much-needed operating funds that keep the Garden open free to the public daily from dawn to dusk.

Joyce’s favorite thing about Hatcher Garden is the friendships she has developed with the staff and volunteers. There is a sense of shared purpose, shared tasks, and, of course, shared food!

When she was asked what it meant to be named Barrie Bain Volunteer of the Year, Joyce stated, “I know firsthand that all the volunteers give generously of their time and talents for the betterment of the garden, so I feel especially grateful to know my contributions this year merited recognition. I appreciate the award and look forward to many more years with Hatcher Garden!”

Thank you, Joyce, for making Hatcher Garden a better place. Congratulations on being named 2023 Barrie Bain Volunteer of the Year!

Patrick Long

If you’re strolling the Garden on a Wednesday or Friday morning, it’s likely that you’ll see Patrick Long lifting something heavy, cutting pavers, or hauling brush in one of our ATV’s. Patrick loves to do all the hard work at Hatcher, and we love him for that!

Patrick is a former financial consultant and gymnastics coach who retired to Spartanburg from Wisconsin, with his wife Karen. After taking a walk with Dan and learning more about Hatcher Garden, both Patrick and Karen signed up to volunteer.

Patrick says, “I realized how much I missed my 44-acre property back in Wisconsin. I missed the trails I had created and the work I did throughout our property. The Garden is a way for me to get back to working in and enjoying nature.”

The thing Patrick loves most about the Garden is that it is always changing. He attributes that to the planning of different flowers, trees, and shrubs that are constantly in bloom. He also enjoys working with the staff and other volunteers.

When asked what it means to be named 2023 Barrie Bain Volunteer of the Year, Patrick said, “It’s always nice to be acknowledged. Most every time I volunteer, I’m shown appreciation by everyone at the Garden – staff and volunteers. And to be given a brick to place on the grounds of the Garden is quite special.”