At the Muskoka Seniors Friendship Luncheon on August 30, Norm Miller, MPP for Parry Sound-Muskoka, announced that Muskoka Seniors was successful in their Seniors Community Grant Application.
The $7,987.50 awarded to Muskoka Seniors will be used for the 150 Volunteers Project, an initiative that will recruit, train and register 150 volunteers in honour of Canada’s 150th Birthday in 2017. The project will focus on recruitment, retention, screening and training of retired, senior and elderly volunteers to serve other seniors living in Muskoka.
“Having additional volunteers allows Muskoka Seniors to provide additional services,” says Donna Nairn, Executive Director of Muskoka Seniors. “It also gives seniors, as volunteers, meaning and purpose and helps them be contributing members of our community.”
Once recruited and trained, the volunteers will fill a variety of roles including Meals on Wheels delivery; providing transportation to take other seniors to medical appointments, shopping, banking, and social activities; helping with the friendship luncheons in Huntsville, Dorset and Baysville; making friendly telephone and in-home visits to local seniors; helping in the Muskoka Seniors office; and, during tax season, preparing income tax returns for seniors on fixed low income.
“For every interest level there’s an opportunity to serve,” says Nairn.
If you are interested in volunteering or know someone who might be, watch for future announcements about volunteer recruitment or contact Karen Waters at Muskoka Seniors at 705-789-6676.
The Seniors Community Grant program is funded by the Ontario Seniors’ Secretariat as part of Ontario’s investment to keep seniors active and engaged under the leadership of the Honourable Mario Sergio, Minister Responsible for Seniors Affairs. It supports initiatives by not-for-profit community groups that help seniors stay connected, active and involved in their community by encouraging greater social inclusion, volunteerism and community engagement.
Submitted photos
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