DUNNVILLE—The Family Council (FC) at Edgewater Gardens Long-Term Care Centre (EWG) is a dedicated group of volunteers focused on resident/program support, staff appreciation, fundraising, advocacy, and entertainment. It’s an opportunity for family members to become involved and contribute to the overall wellbeing of their loved one and the residents in long-term care.
FC Secretary Dorothy Booker describes the FC as a “small but mighty group of people”. With eight or nine members, President Shari Booker says, “We are always soliciting (or badgering) for volunteers.”
Dorothy laughs as she admits, “I accost people from the gift shop!”
Volunteer Johanna Koolsbergen admits, “That’s how I got involved.”
Joking and laughter aside, these three volunteers and their fellow Council members are tireless in their commitment to supporting both the residents and staff at EWG. The focus for much of this year has been on fundraising, including two barbecues held at Grand Erie Home Hardware (GEHH).
A surprising highlight of the barbecues was a particular “delicacy” featured on the menu – bologna-on-a-bun – which was suggested by a EWG resident and resulted in lunch deliveries to some residents.. Dorothy recalls, “Everyone was excited about bologna-on-a-bun!”
The barbecues were run jointly with the Dunnville Healthcare Volunteer Association, raising $500 for each organization. Dorothy explains that they try to combine with other groups under the umbrella of the hospital when fundraising. For instance, a successful garage sale raised $1,000, which was split between the EWG Family Council and Resident Council.
Grand Erie Home Hardware Days in November provided another opportunity to fundraise and promote the Family Council. The sale of pulled pork sliders along with the Edgewater Gardens Art Class calendar raised $1,100. A week later they held a bake sale and sold calendars for another $1,000.
“(GEHH) have been very supportive of any fundraising we’ve done,” says Dorothy, who also works at the store. She says the manager, Don Kenney, has never turned down any request she’s made. Johanna credits the Christian values of the owners for their community outreach and support.
The monies raised by the FC are used to help meet the needs of EWG as identified by the staff. A “wish list” was created of items that would be beneficial to the facility. This included a large screen television for the second-floor activity room.
A portable karaoke machine has also been identified as a need by the Recreation staff. Once purchased, it will enhance many of the programs and activities offered to residents. Essentially, fundraising helps the FC provide things that are not otherwise covered by any department. Shari explains, “Lots of these items we’re buying just aren’t in any budget.”
A new initiative that started in July is the Dream Fund, which includes presenting every resident with a small gift from the FC on their birthday.
“It’s been very, very good,” exudes Dorothy. “I can’t give the staff enough praise…. They give suggestions of what to get for gifts. They are so supportive and really like that we are doing this.”
“The families are happy with it too,” Dorothy continues. “I like the fact that I can ask family members and they can be involved as well.”
Shari appreciates that this also helps families learn about the work of the Family Council.
In the New Year, the FC will be providing Welcome Baskets to new residents that will be in their rooms on their arrival. This can help the resident and their family adjust to the new experience of living at the home. This comes from a place of understanding as Shari explains, “We’re all here because we’ve been through that transition.”
Going forward, the FC also hopes to expand the Dream Fund. Shari says, “We want to make the activity something that the residents want to do.”
The addition of suggestion boxes will enable staff to contribute ideas and offer guidance to the FC.
Supporting the staff and residents at Edgewater Gardens remains the focus of the Family Council. Dorothy says, “I think for a small group we’re doing a pretty good job of fundraising.”
The dedicated efforts of these volunteers comes from the heart and is a commitment to make Edgewater Gardens a special place for all who live and work there.
For more information on the Edgewater Gardens Family Council, contact: sharibooker@xplornet.ca
