Nursing home friends awarded for dedication

Friends of Fairvern honoured

FRIENDS:. Fairvern Nursing Home administrator Tracy Badger, left, Friends of Fairvern president Bernice Greenfield and Fairvern program manager Jan Saugh celebrate the Ontario Long-Term Care Association award presented to the friends on Wednesday, June 13. Alison Brownlee

HUNTSVILLE – Fairvern Nursing Home has a group of friends management says it cannot do without.
And now a provincial association agrees.
The Friends of Fairvern received an Ontario Long-Term Care Association award for their contributions to the nursing home for the last three decades.
The association’s Circle of Excellence certificate was presented to the friends at the nursing home’s volunteer appreciation luncheon on June 13. Fairvern administrator Tracy Badger said the award gives the nursing home an opportunity to recognize excellence within its organization.
“We felt that there are significant contributions from each and every one of you and we have chosen, in our 30th year, to honour overall the Friends of Fairvern,” said Badger.
She explained the friends had been with Fairvern since the nursing home’s doors first opened.
The friends are a registered charitable organization that has been associated with the home since it opened in 1982. Volunteers assist staff to provide programs that enhance residents’ quality of life. They are involved in such activities as providing music therapy three times a week, assist with feeding, read to residents, organize and assist with social events and other activities arranged for the enjoyment of our residents. The volunteers also provide support to Fairvern through their fund raising events and are in receipt of donations from the community, according to the nursing home.
Although the face of volunteering has changed over the years, said Badger, the friends have been there every step of the way.
In 2011 the friends donated $10,951.21 to support resident needs and capital equipment.
Bernice Greenfield, friends president, called the award a total surprise.
“And I don’t usually get too many surprises,” said Greenfield with a grin. “This is fabulous.”
She reminded the roughly 60 volunteers that attended the luncheon that the award belonged to them for their tireless efforts.
Badger then recognized the four friends who had been volunteering with the organization for the entire 30 years – Anka Snell, Helen Austin, Lloyd Henry and Kathleen Mitchell.
Jan Saugh, Fairvern’s program manager, spoke about how Fairvern’s volunteers are like a family. And each family member has a special something he or she brings to the 76 residents in the nursing home.
“Since my arrival at Fairvern I have seen many changes,” said Saugh. “But the one thing that has not changed and has always remained consistent is the love, time and dedication of our volunteers.”
She told an anecdote about a volunteer who approached her asking if there was anything she could do to help with the volunteer appreciation luncheon.
“I just looked at her in shock,” said Saugh. “We want to give to you today because you give so much to us, and yet she still wanted to help. That says volumes in my mind.”
Bev McWilliams, Fairvern board chair, commented on the friends’ relentless volunteerism and the critical support they provide.
And he acknowledged the support of the nursing home’s other volunteers who provide support to residents through music, cards, hairstyling and other activities.
McWilliams thanked Huntsville Legion Branch 232 for its financial and moral support as well, and gave a nod to the board members who give their time to focus on the financial health of the home.

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