The Citizen, 1998-06-24, Page 6A first time function
This year the Huronlea Auxiliary hosted its first Mothers Day Tea as a fundraiser for the
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PAGE 6. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 24, 1998.
V°•
Newly-formed Auxiliary works for residents
By Bonnie Gropp
Citizen staff
Support for staff and residents on
a social, physical and spiritual level.
That's the role of the Huronlea
Auxilliary formed early this years.
Leona Armstrong of Grey Twp.,
approached the program and social
services co-ordinator for the seniors
home, Ann Brabender, in November
of 1997 with the idea of forming an
Auxilliary. For Leona, whose
mother had been part of the
Auxilliary at the old Huronview in
Clinton for years, and who has
made regular visits with bouquets of
flowers during her terms as
township reeve, was a strong
advocate of the idea.
"When this place was built, there
was a tremdneous show of support
from a community that could see
the need for the home. Now, I felt
that surely there was something the
community could do for the people
living here."
Ann was excited by the idea, she
says, not just because volunteers
can do so much and are always
needed, but because an Auxilliary
gives her a close connection to
volunteers, rather than her trying to
contact them on an individual basis.
To enlist members for the
Auxiliary, Leona and Ann first sent
letters to local organizations asking
if they would be interested in have a
representative serve. "It has become
more individual," says Leona.
The Auxiliary's members, as they
are involved with various efforts at
Huronlea also become familiar to
the residents, something that is very
important. "Everyone likes the
consistency. They get used to seeing
the familiar faces," says Ann.
"One woman," Leona recalls,
with a smile,"asked me one day
when I started working here."
With a sense of continuity being
so important, Ann notes that the
Auxiliary has been blessed with the
presence of two former employees
of the home, Audrey Cardiff and
Marjorie Duizer. "It is also a fitting
testimony to the commitment these
volunteers feel to the home and its
residents."
Commitment to any cause means
time, but Ann assures flexibility.
The Auxiliary meets on the third
Monday of every month at 10 a.m.
Membership is $2. The membership
currently stands at 20, with 15-18
usually present for the meetings.
"Other than that they can pick the
time, place, anything they would
like to do as a volunteer," says Ann.
"If people are busy we make do
with what we have."
One of the major functions of the
Auxiliary will be as a fudnraising
body for the home. The first project
was a Mother's Day Tea, hied last
month, which was quite successful
for a first-time venture, both women
agree. The profit of $190 will be
used to purchase items to benefit the
residents.
With the Auxiliary in the growing
stages, exactly what impact they can
have on the home financially has
not really been considered a great
deal to this point.
With provincial cutbacks, Ann
says, business at the homesh as
become more challenging and the
extra hands of the Auxiliary and
other volunteers makes everything
so much easier. "It's not a big
commitment for anyone. It's often
the simple things, such as a drive in
the country, that the residents love
the most."
For Leona, the work is a mixed
blessing. "Having lived here all
these years, it's sometimes difficult
to see people here and remember
Even slight changes in
meteorological conditions can turn
hot weather into deadly weather. A
few degrees can break down the
body's normal responses, causing
fatigue, dehydration, heat cramps,
heat exhaustion, and heat stroke.
When such conditions as "heat
watch", "heat warning" or "heat
wave" are present, slow down. Stay
out of the sun. Avoid strenuous
activity. Stay indoors as much as
possible. Drink eight ounces of
water per hour even if you are not
thirsty. Avoid alcohol and caffeine
since they dehydrate the body. And
eat less because digestion requires
energy that generates heat.
At home, use electric lights and
cooking ovens sparingly. Keep
shades drawn and blinds closed, but
windows open. If your home or
apartment is not air-conditioned,
how they used to be. But working as
a volunteer with the Auxiliary gives
me a sense that I am helping to
improve the quality of life for the
residents here.We just count on Ann
to tell us where and when we're
needed."
"The volunteers have been great,"
says Ann. "I think everyone realizes
how important they are to us."
Anyone interested in volunteering
some time, a skill or talent can
contact Ann at 887-9267. If wanting
to become part of the Auxiliary,
Leona says, just show up at the
meeting or contact Ann or Leona.
seek out restaurants, movie
theatres, libraries and public
"cooling centres". Fans do not cool;
they just circulate hot air.
Know, too, that certain medical
conditions and prescription drugs
can make you more vulnerable to
heat stress. People with high blood
pressure, diabetes, a weak or
damaged heart, strokes, infections,
fever, diarrhea, circulation
problems, skin disease, sunburn
and obesity are all at greater risk
for heat-related illnesses. Also,
there are many medications and
allergies that can aggravate the
effects of heat.
These "hot" tips were provided
by the Canadian MedicAlert
Foundation. MedicAlert, a
charitable membership foundation,
has been protecting medically at-
risk individuals in emergency
situations since 1961.
Stay cool to stay well this summer