Rosebridge gives back with Strawberry Social
Thursday, June 14, 2007 -- Jason Thompson
Rosebridge Manor in Jasper is hosting its annual Strawberry Social June 19 to raise money for the Alzheimer Society of Leeds-Grenville.

Kathy Barr, the life enrichment co-ordinator at Rosebridge Manor, says the Strawberry social is the home’s way of thanking the Alzheimer Society for funding their music program.

“They do so much for us. They funded us again this year, which they have for the past six years, for our music program in the home,” Barr says of the Alzheimer Society of Leeds-Grenville, which donates about $1,000 each year to keep the program running.

“They supply us with the person who actually comes and does the program so it’s our little way of showing appreciation by trying to help raise funds for their cause,” she says.

There is no cost of admission for the event but he home will ask for donations. Barr says a local entertainer will perform at the event while the home’s staff will prepare strawberry shortcakes with whipped cream.

“I have a volunteer who actually owns an orchard and she’s going to try and supply us with the strawberries we’ll need,” Barr says. “She’s hoping very much that they’ll be ripened by then.”

She says events often revolve around different fruits and vegetables whenever they’re in season. Barr says he’s had residents go berry picking with her in the past but the heat is often too much for some of them.

“There are not usually a whole lot of residents that like to berry pick. They like eating them but picking is not always their favorite thing,” she says. “It’s nice when they can get farm-fresh items.”

Barr says there’s local church that helps provide seasonal fruit to the residents whether it’s strawberries, peaches or watermelon, to name a few.

“Considering we’re a rural home, I’d say we get a lot of community support,” Barr says, hoping the Strawberry Social will help them give back.