Editor:
April 21 wraps up National Volunteer Appreciation Week across Canada and I would like to commend our Sunshine Coast volunteers for all the time they take from their own lives to spend with seniors in our community.
We have 30 volunteer drivers who have driven clients to 378 medical appointments both locally and into Vancouver, braving the weather and ferry lineups in order to get people to their much needed medical appointments.
There were 5,109 Meals On Wheels delivered from Halfmoon Bay to Langdale by 23 dedicated people who not only deliver the meals but form friendships with the clients and often report back regarding any health and safety issues they observe. There was only one day last year that meals had to be cancelled due to snow.
The 30 volunteer grocery shoppers at IGA in Gibsons and Wilson Creek and Claytons in Sechelt filled over 1,800 grocery orders last year. This program is integral in the goal to support seniors being able to stay independent and stay in their own homes.
The four regular telephone tree volunteers made a call every morning for 365 days to seniors who would like to have a chat and someone to check on their safety each morning.
The tax volunteers did 892 free tax returns last year, helping lower income people keep their taxes up to date so their CPP, OAS and other government programs can continue with no interruptions.
The Sunshine Coast is a very special community and these volunteers prove it again every day. It is a pleasure for me to connect with such a caring and dedicated group of people.
Ceri Bowles, Volunteer Coordinator, Vancouver Coastal Health, Home Care Services
