Heart and soul of VON volunteers recognized

BY NANCY KELLY

Kings County Register

VON volunteers in Kings and Annapolis counties were acknowledged for giving their time, talent, energy and resources at a volunteer appreciation luncheon May 15 at the Kingston Lions’ hall.

Over 100 volunteers attended the luncheon, which coincided with National VON Week. In her opening remarks, the VON’s Krista Lange said “we are here to celebrate you and to recognize 110 years of the VON’s commitment to the community.” Her remarks were followed by those from VON Annapolis Valley Branch Director John Dow. “There is a lot of talk about what drives a community, but there is no question that volunteers are the heart and soul,” said Dow.

Kings West MLA Leo Glavine was also on hand to pay tribute to the volunteers “who are the face at the door, the face at the bedside.” He said, over the years, the VON has picked up major health care challenges, including home healthcare and end-of-life care. Glavine said VON services in Kings and Annapolis County also face an additional challenge of serving “one of the oldest demographics” in the province. “Many Valley communities have populations that are predominantly 65 and over.”

Care statistics from the Eastern Kings area indicate, in the past year, VON volunteers serviced 1,260 pairs of feet at three footcare clinics and served 3,256 meals-on-wheels, contributing to over 1,000 volunteer service hours. Program co-ordinator Scott Anderson said 1,200 client visits were made to the adult day centre at Western Kings and services in Annapolis County have included volunteer visiting, the seniors’ check-in service and a bereavement support group.

Palliative care co-ordinator Lillian Cochrane reported 25 volunteers in the Kings County- based program have put in 2,000 volunteer hours in the past year. Freda Burgher and Ellen Clarke's donation of $591 to the home support program was followed by the VON’s “Sore Fingers Quilters,” who continued their tradition of presenting unique handmade quilts to program volunteers to distribute to palliative care patients.

Volunteers with between five and 20 years experience were awarded service pins. The five-year service category included Sharon Baker, Jane McDowell, Malcolm Ryan, Alex Peace, Joan Pottie, Hector Pottie, Myrna Campbell, Trevor Lloyd, Mary MacDonald, Robert MacDonald, Alex MacAskill, Derek Squire, Marian Leslie and Gladys Cook. Volunteers with 10 years in are Marshall Black, John Franey, Allistair MacNaughton, Janet Saunders. Art Leduc, Barbara Leduc, Elinor Morgan, Robert Clark, and Ruth Clark. Lorraine and Andy Williams received pins for 15 years of service and Canon Sid Davies was honoured for his volunteer contributions over a 20-year period.