Donald Teuma-Castelletti
CAMPBELL’S BAY
Aug. 25, 2018
A home for the elderly living with Alzheimer’s held their fourth annual barbeque fundraiser on Saturday, offering guests the chance to check out the facility while also meeting those who take care of their loved ones.
The Valentine Centre in Campbell’s Bay continued to fundraise towards their goal of affording a generator for the building, by hosting their annual barbeque and raffling off donated prizes.
Valentine Centre director Pastor Sharon Rivest said the event is an excellent opportunity for families to see what the home provides for those who stay there.
“It’s a time for connecting with the family and letting them see what we do,” she said. “Families can know that their loved ones are well taken care of. Also, it lets them see who the workers are, who is taking care of their family.”
Rivest said the barbeque is a popular event, but that the centre prefers to keep it all as a calmer tone. That’s because if there is too much going on, or too many activities happening at the home, it can lead to upsetting the folks suffering from Alzheimer’s that live there.
“We have to respect their level of tolerance for activity,” she explained.
Beyond the barbeque, there was also a 50/50, as well as a series of raffle prizes. These prizes consisted of items donated from Campbell’s Bay’s Proxim Pharmacy, Coronation Hall, Mayhew Family Farms, Chocolaterie Plus du Pont Rouge and a gift certificate for the Junction Restaurant.
Money raised from the barbeque will continue to go towards affording a generator for the Valentine Centre. As the facility runs on electric heat, it becomes a worry every winter of the dangers if the power fails.
Currently, the facility is about halfway towards their goal of fundraising, with the total amount needed totalling $7,000. Fundraising will continue with the annual Christmas tea and bake sale.
Rivest said the centre is always appreciative of the support from the community and the centre’s employees in helping with their fundraising endeavours. She explained that the need for care for Alzheimer’s patients will only grow in the future, and that it is best that the community prepares as best it can to support facilities working with such patients.
