LITTLE CURRENT—Volunteer week was a busy time for volunteers, attending various appreciation events. Julie Omnet, activities director at the Manitoulin Centennial Manor, presented her volunteers with awards of appreciation on Friday, April 19.
Residents and volunteers gathered, and Ms. Omnet welcomed them all, “I wanted to thank all of my volunteers that have come today. I’m missing a number of people, but there’s a lot going on and I have a few people sick, which is unfortunate. We have a lot of food to eat, so get eating. But I wanted to thank you all from the bottom of my heart.” Ms. Omnet then shared a poem about volunteers, followed by an invitation for everyone to get some food.
Donna Wolfe brings library books to the residents. She discovered one of the residents is a violinist and he’s now giving her violin lessons, once a week. “I haven’t played in 40 years,” she said, “and now I’m learning to play again. There are some amazing people here and you just don’t know, until you talk with them.”
Ruth McDonald is fairly new to the Island and has been volunteering at the Manor for the last several years. She plays piano and accompanies four other singers. They come with the United Church minister and provide a church service monthly, on the third Thursday.
Brenda Hallett has been volunteering and singing at the Manor for nine years. She also explained this is the first volunteer gathering they have had since COVID began. “We used to have them every year, until COVID,” she said.
Mike Farquhar, though proud of his 15 years of volunteering, brushes off any praise by saying, “Well, we’re away for three months every year.” But adds with a smile, “I love it. I love it.” He brings his guitar and plays and sings his own songs for the residents. “They’re a tough crowd, I tell you.” He also does sports with the residents on Wednesdays, “We curl or play bocce but I like to curl. The Lions Club donated the curling stones. They’ve got bearings on the bottom, and they roll on this floor. In the nice weather, we move out to the gazebo.”
Sitting with Mr. Farquhar was Ed Heis, formerly of Sheguiandah. “Ed ran the Zamboni at the complex,” Mr. Farquhar explained.
“I ran the Zamboni for 31 years,” Mr. Heis clarified. “I’ve seen everything going on up there,” he said, with a laugh.
Wendy Blackie and Matt Hutcheson are with Jehovah’s Witnesses and were coming to the Manor before COVID, a bible study group once a month. “We’ve only just started up again,” said Mr. Hutcheson.
“My husband was in here, but he died last summer,” Ms. Blackie said. “I was associated with the Manor because of that as well, but it’s nice to give back to the place, too.”
Several auxiliary members, sitting together, discussed how many years they’ve been involved with the Manor. Linda Bowerman has been with them since the beginning and Donna Wuksinic, since 2009. They were volunteering long before they became auxiliary members. Now Ms. Wuksinic is president of the auxiliary. They listed off the accomplishments of their fundraising efforts. “The palliative room has been redone, the sitting room, too, all with the fundraising we have done.” In the past, they provided each resident with a birthday gift, and a Christmas gift, which were shopped for and wrapped by these volunteers. “When COVID hit, we lost all that.” The stories, the fundraisers, the results of their hard work were astounding. “But now we’re all getting older, we can’t do the things we used to do anymore.” Ms. Wuksinic said. “It’s harder,” she said with a sad smile.
Administrator Don Cook joined the gathering and expressed his appreciation. “I just wanted to say thank you and give my appreciation for all that you do. It is definitely appreciated by residents and staff. And I know everyone really enjoys it. So, thank you very much.” Despite all that the auxiliary and these volunteers do, there’s still much to be done and clearly, more help would be appreciated.
by Margery Frisch
