Springdale Challenge engages residents, benefits community
Wednesday February 20, 2008 -- Deron Hamel
A first-time competition between Peterborough-area long-term care homes to see who could bring in the most items to a local food bank was a great success, says Scott Ladoucier, supportive measures specialist at Springdale Country Manor.

The Springdale Challenge ran from Dec. 12 to Jan. 21. The competition was won by St. Joseph’s at Fleming, which managed to fill eight boxes of food for the Peterborough food bank. Aside from bragging rights, residents and staff members at the home received a complimentary lunch, courtesy of Domino’s Pizza.

Springdale Country Manor resident Mae Stark poses with some of the items she donated during the Springdale Challenge.

The competition was the brainchild of Sandra Munro, a personal support worker at Springdale, who told the OMNIway in December that one of the major benefits of the food drive was to engage residents.

Residents and family members from each participating home — which included Riverview Manor — brought non-perishable food items, as well as items such as toothpaste and soap, to food hampers located in each participating home.

Ladoucier says when the competition is kicked off next year it will be done a little differently. For starters, Ladoucier says the drive will likely start in mid-January

“We’re also going to open it up to all the OMNI homes right across Ontario and whatever they raise will go to their own local food bank,” he says. “The timing and the location of the food banks will be the two new things that will be looked at next year. It was our first time out and we learned a few things and it will continue to be an annual (event).”

For its part, Springdale managed to collect about four boxes of food and toiletries for the Peterborough food bank.

Leadership is one of OMNI’s key values. The fact that Springdale spearheaded the food drive and will continue the event on an annual basis to include more OMNI homes exemplifies the leadership quality, notes Ladoucier.

“At Springdale we definitely want to be leading OMNI,” he says.