SIDNEY -- Efforts to improve and update the Living Memorial Garden are getting closer to reality with the help of several donors. 

On December 27, Coleen Langdon took the John Hollatz family on a tour of the  Living Memorial Garden in Legion Park. She explained the Garden's history, how it was a public swimming pool and became the Living Memorial Garden when the pool was closed. 

They toured the location after committing support to the project.  Michelle Hollatz is from the Sidney area. The Hollatz family makes an effort to support their hometowns, and especially small communities.

"We definitely believe in giving back to small towns, and we initially gave some money to the park project. Then, we were like, 'what else is Sidney doing that we could help,' and Cresting (Neb.) as well. We weren't aware of anything and then, I think one of my sisters reached, or we were reading the story about the vandalisms. I think that's what initially started conversation, and then I think when I reached out to Coleen she said oh, they have plans to refurbish the building, and so then we talked about it and we were like 'Oh, that would be a great way to give back,'" she said.

Hollatz describes her family's motivation as a pay-it-forward approach.

"A lot of people helped us along the way to be successful so whatever we can do to give back. We love coming here, and since a lot of our family lives here ... we make a lot of trips to Nebraska," she said.

She said her mom, Gwen Highland, loved flowers so they made the donation in her behalf. She added the memory of small town charm and safety has stayed with her since leaving Sidney. Her husband John Hollatz said part of the motivation is not forgetting the family's hometown.

"We live outside of Charlotte right now, which is probably the biggest city we've lived in, and we like a lot of the amenities of being in a big city. But growing up in a small town -- we were just having this conversation the other day with my kids-- so my kids can't go out on their own. You know, they can't run around. Our neighborhoods are not necessarily connected where they can ride their bikes from neighborhood to neighborhood. You cross busy streets. So, in a small town, you have a lot of freedom here," she said.

The need for facility renovation became apparent when vandalism occurred at the Garden, including entry into the building through the roof. 

To date, the project has received monetary donations or pledges to the project in the amount of a little more than $190,000 from 11 sources. 

For more information on the Living Memorial Gardens project, contact Langdon or see the Living Memorial Gardens Sidney Facebook page.