A Good News Story

By Conni Attwell
A special gathering took place at Beckley Farm Lodge on October 28th at 12:30 pm. Karen Magit, a volunteer at the James Bay United Church Thrift Shop, along with Don Hume and Edna Dickinson, Volunteer Coordinator, presented a cheque for $10,000 to Theresa Vogel, Board Chairperson of Beckley Farm Lodge. The donation is for a new bathtub for the Community Bathing Program.  Also present were Anne Wraggett, Director of Finance, and Norah Brown, Director of Care. This program has been in existence for 10 years and is a boon to seniors who live in the community and need help bathing and getting in and out of a tub. As part of the Day Program which also provides social activities and support services for seniors living in the community, this is a much appreciated service and enables seniors living fairly independently to remain doing so. Further information on the day programs can be had by calling Lorraine Gee, Director Day Programs at  250-381-4421 loc 234.

Karen, who has volunteered at the thrift shop for four years, came up with the idea after reading about some of the problems re: bathing, that care homes were having and felt that this was a good cause. Fortunately, all at the Thrift Shop agreed and so a fund was started.  It takes many hours of volunteer work to raise these funds since 70% of the thrift shop revenue goes to the church and 30% is used for maintenance and charitable donations. These have also included the James Bay Community School and Woodwind Farm.

The James Bay United Church Thrift Shop is open Friday mornings from 10 am to 2 pm.  Manned by volunteers, it has some of the best bargains in town and there you will find the cheery faces of Karen, Edna, and Don amongst many others.

Delightful people, a delightful presentation and I was delighted to attend.