SUNDRE – It’s officially the end of an era for a group of dedicated volunteers who endeavoured to bring into the lives of local residents in senior care an additional beam of light alongside a greater sense of community and belonging.
Earlier this spring during a meeting at the Sundre Seniors’ Supportive Living centre, which is one of several campuses of care in the region administered by Mountain View Seniors Housing (MVSH), the remaining membership of the former Foothills Lodge Ladies Auxiliary – so named after the care centre that was closed in 2016 when the residents were relocated to the brand new and modern facility – made the difficult decision to dissolve following nearly four decades of service.
The development came as sad news for MVSH, said chief administrative officer Stacey Stilling.
“They have always been a respected, welcome addition and strong advocates for our lodge program over many decades,” Stilling wrote by email in response to questions, expressing appreciation to each volunteer who pitched in and didn’t shy away from working hard in their commitment to improving or at least making more comfortable the lives of seniors who called the lodge home.
“Change is never easy, but our commitment to our residents remains,” she said, praising the facility’s “fabulous recreation staff and other volunteers who continue to assist and support MVSH in Sundre to plan and host events.”
MVSH intends to keep pursuing its own fundraising efforts through events such as the upcoming 13th annual golf tournament, which takes place Sept. 14 at the Olds Golf Course.
“And we are always appreciative of our other private donors and service clubs who recognize the value of services we provide and do what they can to assist,” she said, going onto offer well wishes to the former auxiliary’s membership.
Originally founded in 1987, the former auxiliary’s mandate was to provide a personal touch to the lives of residents who called the lodge home.
“As Sundre is a smaller community, most residents were well known to our volunteers,” Donna Sandberg, also a former member, wrote in a statement announcing the development.
Among the many activities organized by the auxiliary’s volunteers over the years were teas as well as bake sales and other fundraising efforts whose proceeds helped to cover the costs involved in hosting a variety of events such as Mother’s and Father’s Day celebrations, filling up Christmas stockings as well as decorations to make the facility more festive during different holidays.
“Parties were held monthly with cake, cards and balloons honouring monthly birthdays,” added Sandberg.
Additionally, some of the raised funds were also allocated to help offset the costs involved in acquiring new equipment, from chairs to the new Lucynt device that was installed earlier this year.
And when the residents of the former Foothills Lodge were relocated to MVSH’s new facility in Sundre’s southwest during the summer of 2016, members of the auxiliary moved with the residents.
But during a review of their mandate at the meeting in spring, the auxiliary’s membership realized the extent to which regulations have changed over the years, especially the public health restrictions that were in place throughout pandemic and like so many other non-profit groups substantially disrupted fundraising efforts.
Former member Vi Ellithorpe said while there were some volunteers who remained committed to the cause, there over time simply became less that they were allowed to do.
“Most of our duties are now conducted by staff,” said Sandberg, adding that Alberta Health Services (AHS) also “has many new rules which make our group less effective.”
“Reflecting on the situation, we decided the auxiliary was no longer viable,” she said.
“It was a sad and difficult decision as we loved helping seniors.”
Many of the ladies who reside at the lodge, as well as the SL4 and SL4D units, were once members of the auxiliary, she added.
“Times change, so we must move on,” she said.
The remaining $4,800-plus the auxiliary still had in reserves when the membership ultimately decided to dissolve was to be donated to the Sundre Community Van Society, which also provides a crucial service for seniors in the Sundre area, she said.
“They are in desperate need of a new bus and we feel this money will help them with their fundraising efforts,” she said.
Offering parting thoughts, Sandberg wanted to extend heartfelt gratitude to all of the former auxiliary’s members who contributed not only toward making the group a worthwhile endeavour but also a fun one.
