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The Unthinkable and

The Power of Two Pink Tabebuia Trees

by April May,
Executive Assistant to CEO/Donor Relations/Victim Advocate Counselor

t is easy to forget the 90 degree heat as you stroll through Baker violence, kidnapping, robbery, stalking, homicide, theft grand/
Park a hidden treasure in the City of Naples. Baker Park is petty, sudden death, and vehicular victimization. And YES—the
Iperfectly situated along the Gordon River in downtown Naples, unthinkable happens even in Paradise!
where landlubbers and aquatic adventurists can escape for the Shaina Anderson, Chief Operating Officer for Project HELP
day. Baker Park boasts, the perfect spot to witness a breathtaking stated that the hardest part of accompanying the Naples Police
sunrise as the canary yellow and hues of the saffron dawn sun Department on a sudden death notification is, “The anticipation of
peaks just beyond the Gordon River; or for those who enjoy a stroll what to expect upon arriving to a scene or a loved one’s home and
may find the 1.3 mile loop through the grassy knolls or over the being prepared to hold a safe place for the insurmountable grief
Gordon River Greenway Bridge exactly what your soul needed. while also knowing there will never be anything you can say or do
Throughout Baker Parker you will come across impressive art, lush that can take the pain away from the grieving loved one in that
landscaping, a splash pad, multiple playgrounds, a kayak launch, moment.” For the “someone” who receives the notification
native vegetation, mangroves and two pink tabebuia trees looking he/she/they/them may not recall the details of what was said
towards the Knoll Overlook. or shared but what will be etched in their memory and never
As someone sits and reads the picturesque description of Baker forgotten were those words and were they conveyed with care and
Park one may wonder why would the writer point out specifically— compassion.
two pink tabebuia trees. Unbeknownst to the reader this is not an Project HELP and its 14 Believers can’t take away the
article about Baker Park but what is planted and why two pink unthinkable, but Project HELP and its 14 Believers can help
tabebuia trees were planted just north of the Formal Lawn and the “someone” heal from the unthinkable. Project HELP, The City of
Eva Sugden-Gomez Center. Tabebuia trees provide a striking pink Naples and the Office for Victims of Crime recognize, support and
flower that drops it foliage immediately before bursting into blooms honor victims of crime (the unthinkable) and those who support
leaving gorgeous pink blossoms that provide an abundance of them. Each year the Office for Victims of Crime commemorate
shade and beauty. A blanket of beauty for some, a quilt of comfort National Crime Victims’ Rights Week. This year NCVRW was
for some, a gentle yet powerful reminder of the unthinkable for commemorated April 23-29, 2023 where this year’s theme was
someone who could be you or for someone’s daughter, someone’s Survivor Voices: Elevate. Engage, Effect Change.
son, someone’s wife, someone’s parent. Project HELP -Our Community- the City of Naples-Baker
The call no one wants to get or make. . .It’s any time—any Park amplify the voices of the survivors of the unthinkable and
day and the 24/7 Crisis and Sexual Assault HELPline has just create environments where survivors have the confidence that they
received a call from the Naples Police Department dispatcher will be heard, believed, and supported. As you stroll past the pink
seeking accompaniment for a Sudden Death Notification—The tabebuia trees just before the grassy knoll overlook pause. . .you
Unthinkable. or someone’s daughter, someone’s son, someone’s wife, someone’s
There is no perfect timing or preparing for the unthinkable. No parent is healing from the unthinkable—with a little bit of help
matter what the unthinkable is—sexual assault, burglary, domestic from Project HELP and a community of Believers.
violence, financial crime/identity theft, human trafficking, gang
Life in Naples | May/June/July 2023 11