Volunteers travel 5 times around the Earth
Prince Edward Community Care’s volunteer drivers travelled a total of 62,748 km to take seniors to medical and other appointments. That is almost 5 times around the Earth. This fact was reported to those gathered for the 2000-2001 Annual General Meeting on Thursday, June21’st.
Executive director, Debbie Moynes noted that over 600 caring and committed volunteers make it possible for the agency to address its mission to assist older adults to live in a home environment in reasonable independence. She continued, saying that many groups and organizations work in partnership with Community Care to further the work of the organization.
Moynes praised the board of directors, chaired by Howard Johnston, for their oversight of the organization.She noted with sadness the death during the past year Anna Sztuke, pastchair and avid supporter of Community Care.The recent death of Mary Sallans, founding member and Honourary Board Member, leaves a void at the heart of the agency.
Treasurer John Jackson reported that although the agency has only received a 2 % base funding increase from the Ministry of Health in almost 10 years, that Community Care was able to complete the last fiscal year with a balanced budget. This was due in large part to the commitment of the board of directors who raise almost 40% of the budget-the portion that is not funded by the Ministry of Health & Long-TermCare.
Howard Johnston, chair of the board, said “one intriguing success story of the year was the Bean Bottle fund raising project. I don’t think any of us expected the bottles of Friendship Soup to be such a popular gift item.” He noted that the bottles of beans are available year round for $6.00 each.
Elected to the board of directors for the year 2001-2002 were Doreen Brown, Wilf Durham, Ralph Hall, John Jackson, Howard Johnston, Audrey McDermott, Joseph Sahadat, Genny Vincent, and Stan Whitehouse.
Earlier in the day, at the second annual Armoury Open House, the Community Care Volunteer of the Year award was given to Mary Scott in recognition of many years of service to seniors in Prince Edward County. Scott has scheduled the Meals on Wheels volunteer drivers inWellington since 1985. She is retiring from that volunteer position, having arranged drivers for a total of 1,664 days. Moynes stated that Mrs. Scott has touched the lives of countless seniors. Mayor Taylor presented Mrs. Scott with a framed certificate of congratulations from the Corporation of the County of Prince Edward.
The Prince Edward County Community Care for Seniors Association was established in 1977 to assist older adults to remain living in their own homes. The agency provides community support programs including Meals on Wheels, transportation to medical and other appointments, Seniors’ Dinners, help with forms, Rural Mail Couriers’ Alert, foot care clinics, and other programs. For assistance or to volunteer contact Community Care at The Armoury, 206 Main Street in Picton, call 476-7493 or www.pec.on.ca/seniors.