Burnbrae hosts luncheon to thank volunteers
Meal, award ceremony lets volunteers know they’re appreciated
Monday May 5, 2008 -- Deron Hamel
The management team at Burnbrae Gardens held a luncheon and award ceremony April 29 to thank the efforts of the Campbellford long-term care home’s volunteers. The luncheon was one of many events held at OMNI homes as part of National Volunteer Week, April 27 to May 3.

“The reason we did a luncheon was because they serve us all year, so as a management team we wanted to serve them,” says April Faux, the home’s life enrichment co-ordinator, adding that it can be challenging for homes to give volunteers the thanks they deserve. “It’s recognition. . . . Recognizing them and letting them know that they are appreciated is a big thing.”

Personalized invitations were sent out to each of the home’s approximately 50 volunteers. The event attracted 34 volunteers, who were served a meal of chicken parmigiana, fettuccine, potato soup, salad and a strawberry dessert.

Staff members from the life enrichment department, along with administrator/director of care Susan Cymbaluk, waited on the volunteers. The event meant so much to Cymbaluk that she changed appointments in her busy schedule to accommodate time to honour the volunteers, notes Faux.

Following the luncheon a ceremony was held to present the residents’ council Outstanding Volunteer Award. This year residents’ council chose the home’s chaplain, Rev. Dave Shepherd, as the outstanding volunteer.

Shepherd, Faux adds, is head of the home’s pastoral committee, attends family council and OMNI-sponsored palliative care meetings, and can be counted on to volunteer at the home throughout the week.

“They had a hard time deciding, but (residents’ council) chose him because he is so involved,” she says.

Shepherd says he’s grateful to the residents’ council for the honour, and to the home for showing its appreciation to volunteers with the luncheon. He says the ambience of the luncheon and award ceremony adds to the positive atmosphere felt in the home every day.

“It put the icing on the cake as far as the good feeling that’s already here (at the home),” says Shepherd. “There’s always a very nice tone here.”

Do you have a story you would like to share about activities your home held during National Volunteer Week? If so, please contact deron(at)axiomnews.ca.

If you’re interested in a volunteering opportunity at any of OMNI’s long-term care homes, please call (705) 748-6631.

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