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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Lucknow Sentinel, 1996-10-23, Page 6Page $ - Looknorallionibloli, ii.odnoniar, October 22, lift October±Tome Support Month recognizing volunteers by Pat Livingston October is Community Support Month. For Reta Morrison of Kinloss Township, it is an oppor- tune time to share her story about the support she received from the volunteers who work with. the Home and Community Support Services of Grey Bruce. Mrs. Morrison recent` ly had cataracts re +v-, 4 from one . eye a an implant. Since last April, it was necessary to make six trips to Kitchener to. an eye ,,specialist. °Mrs. Morrison is comfortable driving around this area, however, she is not- a.; 'city driver'. "My familywould have taken me if they could," . said Mrs., Morrison, "but lots of times they couldn't, They work and have families of their own that keep them very busy." And. Mr. Morrison .is notable to ,drive hitrciself. Knowing she would have to make the trips, but not knowing how. she was going to accom:lish this was a worry for her until their regular home- maker told Mrs. Morrison about the trans- portation segment of Home and Community Support Services. "It was a great comfort to know there was some- one there to rely on. it took a load off me, and it took some of the pressure off my family as well," Mrs. Morrison said. "It was one less thing to worry about. They (dri- vers) did everything they could for me - just like my family for the days" Mrs. Morrison said although the drivers were strangers in the begin- ning, "f felt quite com- fortable going om-fortableTgoing with them. The were good drivers."" There is a client fee for the service - .15/lam to help offset gasoline. purchases. 'Tins quite happy to pay that," said Mrs. Morrison. Volunteers tn: all communities, volunteers form the back- bone ackbone. of many . services offered to assist seniors, adults with physic& abilities' and.'otherrs with, special needs to remain independent at home. ° Carol Weigel, service development coordinator "in some of the been around much longer Additional programs for South Bruce, says, programs, such as than we have," said offered by Horne and "I'm not sure how we on Wheels, again Wergelo "i think one of Community Support could do it (program) unteers doing the dam► the trends I've noticed Services of Grey -Bruce because the ady way we ery of the meals in the throughout Grey -Bruce, include home mainte- 8 Y provide transportation, communities where we and probably into Huron nance, modification and for example, is through are involved," said County as well, is about repair; friendly visiting volunteers. We have no Weigel. Last year, 878 15 to 20 years ago a and telephone assurance. other means of providing volunteers supported number of communities Day Away Programs transportation. Some Home and Community started Meals on Wheels are located in Kincardine, agencies, like ours, Support Services of programs and it seemed Southampton and Owen would run a disability Grey -Bruce in the deny- to be a very popular con- Sound and offer a fun van system, such as ery of a total of 27,045 rept at the time. I expect and stimulating day for Wheels Away, but we meals, =. = that'show long Lucknow the, clients who attend, as don't offer that service, Locally, the Meals on (Meals on Wheels) has well as respite, informna- scr without the volunteers Wheels coordinators . and been around." tion and support for the it wouldn't exist." .. volunteers do a tremen- Weigel said when her , caregivers. In the past year, 9,976 ,dour job. "Lucknow agency was formed, the Weigel speaks highly trips, were made. Meals on Wheels has goal was to startMeaals of Huron county . agen- on Wheels where they cies. "The Wingham Day had not existed before. Centre and Town and "That's really what we Country 'Homemakers focused on." to about have been strong, strong three communities, the agencies providing ser- agency assumed adminis- vice, ' to their credit, tration of the existing across county borders programs for various tea.- without asking., any quer- sons, Weigel said. tions." "In Lucknow, the pro- • We've said it :before, gramhas been strong and : but it bears repeating: running well, and they "Where would : we be haven't needed any help. from anybody outside the community. We're here, for support ifthey need. t, .but frankly, 1'don't think they do., They're doing really Well." Other" services Reta Morrison knows first o s'' har>rd, how im tent volunteers ares (Livingstonphoto)- . HAT IS HAPPENING TO OUR YOU NEED TO KNi H CAR )G hBl<� Date: Wet(nesdaOctober 3flth, Location: Town H l erita atre (Elevator accessibility) 274 Josephine Street, Wingham a Time: 7* 'M"'OP1` he panels members will discus •'Wingham s Doctor shortage and the Need for a Clinic Building Noreen Gnay, Chairperson 1 Vingham & District Hospital Board • Changes in Community Health Services ti Linda Knight, Executive Director Community Nursing Services Inc. • proposed Integrated Delivery System Barbara Wahl, Vice President Ontario Nurses Association t) • Hospitals ilt Related Health Services Study Fraser Bell, Executive Director, Huron -Perth District Health Council • Future Directions in Health Care Helen Johns, Huron Perth M.P.P. Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Health You will have the opportunity to ask questions. Sponsored by:.Wingham & District Hospital Public Relations Committee •1 without volunteers ' " For further informa- tion on the Grey -Bruce agency call 1-800-347- 8678. The Wingham.Day Centre can be reached at 357-14410, and Town and. PC Country Homemakersnt 57.3222. ULA 11 NO C IT'S A MUST AGAINST RU ' .. o 115 Minute oi! Change" uaker State Cil • Fram - Purolator Filters • A ' ► `Friday"0:30 AM � PM Yes We're o during the lunch hour Ifyou cannot make idour regular office hours, there is a mail slot beside our door, or leave a message on our answering machine.