Spring is here and our garden is growing again. Therapeutic Activation Program for Seniors members and families from the Family Place started seeds at the College of the Rockies Community Greenhouse several weeks ago. Anita, Christie and Cecile, the knowledgeable and kind greenhouse staff, guided us through planting and transplanting and we have moved many plants to the raised garden beds behind TAPS. This project started last year with support from the Vancouver Foundation and was so valuable to our community that the Krafty Kronys are helping out with some of the costs this year.
This week, the TAPS gentlemen got the TAPS garden beds ready and the seedlings have been planted. Our seniors will soon be taking lettuce and spinach home with them to supplement their grocery shopping. More vegetables will be planted, more seniors will have chores to keep the gardens weeded and watered, and more salads will be served at TAPS — all this from an idea about what seniors have to contribute. Thank you to the College of the Rockies Community Greenhouse staff and volunteers for getting us started and helping us keep growing.
TAPS receives many calls about support for seniors who may be facing financial fraud situations or who have questions about what support is available for them. TAPS manager Bridget Currie contacted the BC Centre for Elder Advocacy and Support and learned about an opportunity for TAPS to become more informed about this and similar topics. On June 14 and 15, there is a workshop in Kelowna that will train interested persons to lead workshops in financial abuse prevention for older adults. The support of the Creston Valley and the Creston Rotary clubs has made it possible for TAPS to send our program manager, a volunteer and a TAPS member to this workshop.
These people will return to Creston ready to provide Protect Yourself financial literacy workshops. These workshops provide older adults with the information they need to protect their finances, recognize and respond to financial abuse, access community resources and make informed financial decisions. This is valuable information for all of us and will assist many people. The Rotary clubs recognize that this is an investment in the community and have supplied the funds necessary for travel and accommodation, expenses that are not part of our tight budget. Thank you, Rotarians, for your belief in TAPS and your donation to the community.
Do you remember when our bus was stolen and damaged? We received many calls of support and a huge amount of publicity. There was a lot of talk about our dilemma and this led us to another opportunity for TAPS. Patrons and stylists at 12th Avenue Hair and Esthetics put their heads together. June Ebelher, whose daughter, Paula, owns 12th Ave. Hair and Esthetics, made contact with a relative who sings with a group from Kelowna. This group, the Kelowna International Choir, has offered to present a fun-filled afternoon featuring music from the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s. The Kelowna International Choir will present Music from the Golden Age of Rock and Roll on May 27 at Prince Charles Theatre at 2 p.m. This fun-filled afternoon will have great music and refreshments and all proceeds will go to TAPS. Tickets are $10 and are available at Black Bear Books.
Each month in the Advance, TAPS has the opportunity to let you know what is happening for our seniors. These three activities are possible because our community supports us. Thank you again.
Terry Nowak is an outreach worker with the Therapeutic Activation Program for Seniors.
