GORE BAY—The Manitoulin Lodge Nursing Home in Gore Bay has recognized the contribution and efforts of a Lodge volunteer with a very prestigious award.
“Good morning and welcome to our annual June Days barbecue where we celebrate our volunteers, resident achievements and most recently, our personal support workers,” stated Lee Turley, administrator of the Lodge last Friday.
“I think back to our past June days and remember coming here as a kid, when Gloria Hall had arranged the barbecue as well as a Manitoulin Lodge yard sale,” said Mr. Turley. “It goes to show that this event has been a significant success at recognizing and celebrating individuals throughout the years.”
Mr. Turley noted, “in recognizing the successes of our home, I think it’s important to always take a minute to recognize success stories and to share in those stories. As you may be aware, Gloria Hall has recently received Jarlette Health Services most distinguished award-the Dragon Lady Award. The people who are recognized with the Dragon Lady Awards at Jarlette Health Services have exhibited great effort in what they do, always going above and beyond and contributing to our core values of “everything we do is with commitment and passion, treating people with respect, striving to always do the right thing and being proactively accountable and responsible, they exude these behaviours and they really do make an outstanding difference in the lives of others!”
“Gloria has been most deserving of this award as she goes above and beyond in her daily interactions, both at work, and outside of work. For over 30 years, Gloria has put our organization at the forefront of her life and truly does make that outstanding difference,” said Mr. Turley.
“It’s been my pleasure to do what I do for the residents and their families,” said Ms. Hall. “It is a great honour and I was very pleased to have been recognized with this (Dragon Lady) award.”
Ms. Hall explained, “every year we are asked a hard task, to choose someone for the Circle of Excellence volunteer award. Every one of our volunteers is important, whether they help once a week, once a day, month or even once a year. You make an outstanding difference in the lives of our residents.”
“This lady (Sandy Cook) we are presenting an award to goes above and beyond,” stated Ms. Hall. “I first met this amazing lady after her father Bill became a resident. Sandy became involved in the happenings here-not afraid of hard work or getting dirty. She has lent a hand with whatever was needed.”
“When we were expanding our flower beds she helped carry in the heavy rail road ties and had a hammer and spikes ready to secure them,” said Ms. Hall. “Then it was wheeling in the earth via wheel barrows and shoveling into the beds. She has also helped build items for our floats such as rocks, candy, Noah’s Ark, and bricks for our Wizard of Oz float.”
“Sandy has been involved in family matter meetings,” said Ms. Hall. “Family matters is a monthly meeting where families meet to discuss the happenings and support each other during their journey through long term care.”
“She later took on the position of chair of our volunteer committee organization, chairing and recording our meetings,” continued Ms. Hall. “She organizes the volunteers for hair care among many other volunteer activities.”
“Last January she saw the need of having wheelchair accessible transportation for our residents,” said Ms. Hall. “She presented the idea to the Gore Bay Manitoulin Lodge Auxiliary, formed a board to help her and she was off with fundraising (in January 2015).”
“The goal was to have a vehicle ready for the summer activities,” said Ms. Hall. “Fundraising was amazing and the dream came true on April 22 (2015) with our first trip off to the local school for the dress rehearsals of the spring concert. Trips and outings continue as well as fundraising.”
“Sandy continues to very active in the happenings here at the Lodge,” continued Ms. Hall. “She is always very positive and cheerful. Her smile brings pleasure to many. Sandy has a genuine compassion for others. She has made and continues to make such a difference in lives of many including residents, family and staff.”
“It gives me great pleasure to present the Circle of Excellence award to Sandy Cook. Congratulations,” added Ms. Hall.
See next week’s Recorder for additional story and photo.
