Between April 10 and 16, Canadians across the country will celebrate National Volunteer Week, an event instituted almost two decades ago under the statement: “Volunteers are the roots of strong communities.”
Our community will join millions of Canadians in saluting the thousands of men and women of all ages and walks of life, to express their appreciation to the volunteers for giving their time.
Our seniors are an important segment of any community’s population. The residents who live in seniors’ homes are one of the biggest recipients of the giving spirit of volunteers in our community.
“Without the volunteer support from the Alberni community, our residents lives would not be the same,” says Margi Kristensen, the new Director of Resident Support and Operations at Abbeyfield, Port Alberni.
“Volunteers are the life source, the heart of our Abbeyfield community, supporting our staff in creating a positive and joyful environment.”
Abbeyfield, Port Alberni, like many other seniors housing facilities in the community, welcomes dozens of volunteers on a weekly basis. Volunteers entertain, navigate the residents’ bus, sit and converse, provide beauty treatments, hang artwork from their private collections, play games, converse in different languages, govern, heal through touch, garden, and share their pets – be they chatty Cockatoos, adorable French Bulldog pups or cute Yorkshire Terriers.
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The enormous volunteer contribution Abbeyfield residents benefit from is not limited to the many that visit the residence. In the past two months, volunteers have led Abbeyfield residents through the Industrial Heritage Museum, served us afternoon teas and dinners at local Churches and other community venues. Volunteers have shared the wares of Pot Luck Ceramics and The Attic thrift store.
Join Abbeyfield residents and staff as we celebrate the committed volunteers and sponsors who make Abbeyfield a home, with ‘An Evening Of Appreciation’. All volunteers and sponsors are warmly encouraged to attend our wine and cheese soiree, with piano stylings by Sarah Falls.
This celebratory event will take place Saturday, April 16, from 7-9 p.m. at Abbeyfield, Port Alberni, 3839 8th Avenue.
