Help support OMNI homes by donating Canadian Tire money
Tuesday April 8, 2008 -- Natalie Miller
Staff, family members, volunteers and friends in the OMNI community can help support their local long-term care home by cleaning out the glove compartments in their vehicles.

For several years, Streamway Villa in Cobourg has collected Canadian Tire money to purchase items at the local hardgoods retailer for various resident activities. Initiated by life enrichment aide Lynette Sandercock, the pot at the long-term care home continues to grow with donations from staff and family members.

Life enrichment co-ordinator Denise Ansell says it's something she encourages all OMNI homes to do. Ansell promotes the fundraising initative in the long-term care home's newsletter for families.

“It's something very simple,” she says.

Since gardening is a popular past-time at Streamway, staff has used the money in the past to support this activity. “It always goes towards gardening or bird seed,” she says. With access to the OMNI van, last year, staff was able to take residents to Canadian Tire to select the plants and plans to do the same this year.

Ansell says it's as easy as dropping off the money during the next visit to an OMNI home.

To find an OMNI home in your area, visit www.omni-way.com/ourhomes/homes.htm.

If you have feedback on this story, please call the newsroom at (800) 294-0051 or e-mail natalie(at)axiomnews.ca.