Community Care: December update
Aviva community fund awards Community Care $87,000 for grief support
Support for local residents who have experienced the loss of a loved one has received a significant financial boost through the Aviva Canada Community Fund. The Community Care Health & Care Network is one of 14 successful applicants to the 2017 Aviva Community Fund charitable initiative.
Earlier this month, Aviva announced that Community Care’s application for grief support funding was selected to receive $87,000 through the insurance company’s annual competition. The funding will play a significant role in ensuring ongoing sustainability and enrichment of Community Care Hospice Services grief support programs in our community.
The announcement followed a wide-ranging campaign in the autumn that saw thousands of local residents and supporters cast online votes in favour of the grief support proposal. After receiving more than 26,000 votes, the #GrieveNotAlone submission qualified for the final round of Aviva consideration.
More than 500 proposals were originally submitted to the national competition. Community Care’s grief support programs help people find their way through grief, while helping them live with renewed hope and happiness despite loss. The programs, offered through Hospice Services, do not receive government funding.
Support from fundraising and development initiatives is required to continue operating the programs at no cost to clients. Everyone at Community Care and the Foundation thanks the community for its support in the competition, as well as the Aviva Community Fund for investing in charitable initiatives that strengthen our community.
For more information about Hospice Services grief support, click this link to our website: #GrieveNotAlone
HANDBAGS FOR HOSPICE – TICKETS ON SALE FOR JAN. 26 FUNDRAISING AUCTION
Everyone at Community Care is extremely excited about the 3rd annual “Handbags for Hospice” charity auction that will truly be a night to remember. The event will be Friday, Jan. 26 at the Admiral Inn ballroom in Lindsay. Proceeds from Handbags for Hospice will support Community Care’s Hospice Services programs.
Handbags for Hospice brings local residents together for an evening of purses, fun, friendship and fundraising. The event is presented by the Community Care Foundation. The evening will feature delicious appetizers, and a silent and live auction of more than 75 purses, jewellery and other fashion items. Like the two previous years, the evening will feature Layne, “The Auctionista,” who brings many years of experience and accomplishments to charity auctions.
Her high energy auction style entertains and inspires people to give while having a great night out socializing with friends, co-workers and colleagues. Tickets to Handbags for Hospice are $50 each and are available through the Community Care Foundation (108 Angeline St. S., Lindsay) or by calling 705-324-7323 ext 164. Tickets are also on sale at local merchants, including: Cathy Allan Ladieswear and Hamilton Creek, both in downtown Lindsay; Bigley Shoes & Clothing in Bobcaygeon; The Kawartha Store in Fenelon Falls. Or, to purchase online, click Here.
We are grateful to the many generous corporate sponsors of Handbags for Hospice: Gold Level: Boston Pizza & Canadian Tire, Lindsay Silver Level: Cable Cable, Economy Wheels Nissan, Twine & Twig, Frost Whetter Oaklin Insurance. Bronze Level: Manley Motors, Lindsay Buick GMC, Lindsay KIA, Homestead Oxygen & Medical Equipment. Friends: Days Inn & Suites, Wards Lawyers, Lindsay Dry Cleaners. Media Sponsors: 91.9 BOB-FM Radio, Metroland Media (My Kawartha).
KEVIN AND CATHY ARE OUR LATEST SHINING STARS
Community Care volunteer driver Kevin Nixon of Fenelon Falls and Chief Executive Officer Cathy Danbrook have both received recognition for their contributions to the organization. Kevin was saluted for his quick actions with a transportation client in medical distress last month (she has recovered and is appreciative to Kevin for his help).
After seven years as CEO, Cathy is retiring in the new year to move closer to family in Ottawa. Her dedication and leadership were recognized by Personal Support Services staff at the group’s recent holiday gathering.
Is there an outstanding volunteer or staff person at Community Care that you appreciate? You can salute the difference such people make in your life, or in the life of someone you love, by nominating them for the Community Care Shining Star award. Purchase a Shining Star for a $25 donation to the Foundation, and your honouree will be presented with the award to wear with pride. Nominators receive a charitable tax receipt for their donation.
For further information about nominating a Shining Star at Community Care, contact Foundation Fund Development Officer Toula Murchie at 705-324-7323 ext 163.
OFFICE SCHEDULES THROUGH THE HOLIDAYS
Please note the operating schedules of CCCKL offices during the Christmas/New Year holiday season: Community Care offices (Community Support Services, Community Health Centre, Hospice Services and the Geriatric Assessment Intervention Network) are open for business as usual until Friday, Dec. 22.
The Community Dental Clinic will be closed between Christmas and New Year’s. Offices will be closed on Monday, Dec. 25 and Tuesday, Dec. 26. Offices will be open on Wednesday, Dec. 27 through to Friday, Dec. 29. Offices will be closed on Monday, Jan. 1 and will re-open Tuesday, Jan. 2.
Clients of Community Care’s Transportation Programs are reminded to book rides in advance. There will be no staff available to receive bookings on: Dec. 25 & 26 and Jan. 1. For transportation over the Christmas week, please make sure that we receive your requests before 11 a.m. on Dec. 19, and for early January by 11 a.m. on Dec. 27.
Though offices are closed for a few days, several staff and volunteers will continue to provide great support over the holidays, including Assisted Living for High Risk Seniors, Supportive Housing and In-Home Respite, Volunteer and Specialized Transportation, and Palliative Visiting in the hospital by Hospice volunteers.
MEALS ON WHEELS IN BOBCAYGEON
The response to Community Care’s pilot launch of Meals on Wheels in Bobcaygeon this past fall was very positive, and we are pleased to confirm ongoing regular delivery on Mondays and Wednesdays.
Residents who register for the service can purchase nutritious hot meals that are delivered to their home at lunchtime. The program is designed for seniors and adults with special needs who are experiencing difficulty with cooking or healthy eating.
Meals are prepared in Community Care facilities according to the Canada Food Guide. Special dietary options are available. The program ensures that clients’ nutritional needs are met while also providing social interaction and a security check from volunteers making the deliveries. For further information about Meals on Wheels in Bobcaygeon, contact Community Care’s Bobcaygeon office, 71-D Bolton St., 705-324-7323.
ADULT DAY CLIENTS GET “EXPRESSIVE”
Social inclusion and engagement were heightened through the fall for participants in an Expressive Arts Pilot Project in Community Care’s Adult Day program. The pilot, funded through a $6,700 grant from New Horizons for Seniors, featured two components: 6 weekly workshops for participants held at the Adult Day Centre in Lindsay, and practical hands-on training and coaching for staff and volunteers by Expressive Arts Facilitator Marie Rayner.
The workshops were held in the fall at our Adult Day Centre on Mary Street West in Lindsay, with participants of both the Mary Street and Jennings Creek programs attending, and the facilitator leading and staff and volunteers assisting.
Workshops included drawing, story-telling, creative writing, drumming, and painting. Through participation in art-making, clients demonstrated strong communication and cognitive skills. Many looked forward to the weekly programming, and were encouraged to share their thoughts and feelings while creating art.
Their communication was respectful, interactive, supportive and complementary during this process of inclusion. Participants were free to express themselves any way they chose and to design their own creation. The staff and volunteer training component offered an introduction to Expressive Arts and ongoing opportunities to observe and assist in the planning, preparation, implementation and evaluation of programming. The training gives our staff and volunteers the capacity to keep the programming going in all six Community Care Adult Day locations across the City of Kawartha Lakes.
Drumming instruments and art supplies acquired through the project are being shared among the 6 centres. For more information on our Adult Day centres, contact Program Manager Rosanne Moloney at 705-324-7323 x 227.
CLIENTS, STAFF HELPING OTHERS
The giving spirit is alive and well at Community Care, and local organizations have benefited by the recent generosity of Community Care staff and clients. Members of the Personal Support Services team held their annual holiday staff event earlier this month.
In addition to celebrating successes and achievements in 2017, staff donated items to be donated to Lindsay’s A Place Called Home shelter. At the same time, staff and clients with the Community Health Centre’s Social Wellness Group voluntarily donated more than $400 to the CARES Secret Santa for Seniors Program, and then enjoyed purchasing items that will go to 8 local residents in the Secret Santa program.
CROSS-STITCH WINNER Judie Schell of Fenelon Falls was the top bidder in the online auction to win a framed autumn cross-stitch that was created by Mary Gallo. Many thanks to everyone who bid on the work of art, and to Mary for her generosity, talent and desire to help Community Care. We appreciate Lindsay Picture Frames (Harry Dunk) donating the framing of the piece, too.
GIFT CERTIFICATE WINNER Michael Reed of Pontypool was the winner of the draw for a $75 Community Care gift certificate, as part of the Community Health & Care Month initiatives. Thanks to everybody who entered the raffle.
COMING UP LOOKING AHEAD: 2017 VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION – SAVE THE DATE
Planning has begun for Community Care’s annual Volunteer Appreciation banquet, when agency staff and officials salute the tremendously valuable contributions made each year by our volunteers. The 2018 Volunteer Appreciation event will be Thursday, April 19 at the Victoria Park Armoury in Lindsay.
For volunteers who have been active in the past year, invitations to the event will be sent out in March. Presentations will be made to those volunteers who are achieving 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 or more years of service.
REMINDERS STAYCATION TICKETS ON SALE – A GREAT STOCKING STUFFER For the second year in a row, Community Care is giving local residents the opportunity to “get away from it all” by staying close to home and supporting a fundraising raffle.
The “Staycation” Raffle offers five great prizes for packages at local businesses. First prize is a spa package at Eganridge Inn in Bobcaygeon ($255 value). Second prize is a Pie a Month for a Year, courtesy of the Little Pie Shack ($200 value). Third prize: overnight stay for two at Eganridge ($175). Fourth: Catered dinner for 4 at home, or Dine-In for 2 at Nolan’s Restaurant ($75). Fifth: two 9-hole rounds of golf, with cart, at Byrnell Golf Club ($70). Tickets are just $2 each and are now on sale at Community Care offices. Draws will take place Jan. 8, 2018. License # M799019. Proceeds to support Community Care programs and services.
GIFT CERTIFICATES MAKE GREAT PRESENTS – THE GIFT OF PEACE OF MIND
At any time of the year, Community Care offers anyone the opportunity to purchase gift certificates which can be redeemed for agency services, such as Meals on Wheels, transportation, adult day programs or seniors luncheons. A gift certificate is a great present for a family member or friend.
Gift certificates may be purchased for any amount at Community Care administrative offices. They can be paid for with cash, cheque, debit or credit card and have no expiration date.
For more information or to purchase a gift certificate for yourself or another Community Care client, contact our offices.
WE’RE ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER
Remember, you can follow Community Care on Facebook & Twitter. For those who enjoy social media, please look up “Community Care City of Kawartha Lakes”, as well as the “Community Care Foundation – Kawartha” and encourage others to “like” us and become Facebook friends, and follow us on Twitter (@CommunityCareKL) to join our ongoing conversation about health.
