News

All Children's Hospital has named the Sensory Garden in its new Therapeutic Playground in honor of Joto's Pizza and Rachel M. Thrower Memorial. The Sensory Garden provides intimate spaces where young children can be immersed in the scents, textures and colors of plants and related elements.

The garden is part of the new rehabilitative playground that serves All Children's patients. It features state-of-the-art, specially designed equipment to assist special needs children and those recovering from traumatic injuries through "play therapy."

"The Sensory Garden is a wonderful aspect of our Therapeutic Playground," said Teresa Leibforth, Occupational Therapy Clinical Coordinator at All Children's Hospital.  "It was thoughtfully crafted to encourage children to experience nature with several senses. They can touch the leaves of various textures, smell different flowers and herbs, see butterflies move around the brightly colored flowers, and hear the soothing sounds of water."

"This garden is very special to my family," said Tori Thrower, a member of the Joto's Pizza family and Rachel's mom. "It's a place my kids can go as they get older and take their own children to remember their sister Rachel. It was so special to have my parents, my sister Jodi and her family present for the dedication. It was a day I will remember forever."

Joto's Pizza and Rachel M. Thrower Memorial has been a longtime supporter of All Children's Hospital through their Annual Dough for the Kids Golf Classic. Since 2004, along with the support of friends, family, and business colleagues, they have donated more than $273,000 to our Annual All Children's Hospital Telethon.