Menno Place residents are all smiles as they recollect the amazing National Grandparents Day Party that took place this past weekend. Residents invited children, grand-children and great-grandchildren to play with them in the 1 acre secure courtyard that is the center of the Menno Place campus. More than 600 people joined in the festivities!
“This is just like Playland!”, said one resident, referencing the huge local fair. He was hosting five of his great-grandchildren. All smiles, he led them to the cotton candy station where they all enjoyed a blue bundle of whipped sugar. Their next stop? The bouncy castles!
With bouncy castles, bean bag toss, a craft table sponsored by The Reach Gallery, storytime sponsored by The Fraser Valley Library, a photo booth, live entertainment, hot dogs, popcorn, bubble station, button station, temporary tattoos and karaoke, there wasn’t time to sit still. Children brought their energy and their joy to the senior’s campus of care.
When Mickey and Minnie Mouse made their appearance, both the children and the seniors broke into smiles. High-fives, big hugs and family photos with the legendary mice brought the generations together in a way that helps to solidify the bonds of family.
“This is more than just a party”, says Karen Baillie, CEO of Menno Place, “This is a way of giving our residents the opportunity to share positive family memories across the generations right here in their own home. Some residents can’t get out, so we brought the party here for to them to share.”
The party ran out of hot dogs… twice! “We planned for 300 people and thought that would be a huge success,” said Sharon Simpson, Director of Communications and Stakeholder Engagement, “We couldn’t imagine that so many of our residents would take the opportunity to share this day with their families.”
Over forty volunteers made the event possible by manning booths, providing security, cooking hotdogs, serving popcorn and cotton candy and transporting residents from their homes to the courtyard to take in the festivities. “We served over 60 litres of ice cream!”, laughs Karin Schroeder, a staff member who brought her daughter along to help for the day. An 85 year old senior said, “Dad always said no to cotton candy at the fair when I was a child. We could never afford it. This was the first time I’ve tried it!”
Annette Foster, Resident Care Co-ordinator and staff member for the past 18 years at Menno Place, was excited to see how her passion for seniors could dovetail with her husband, Kelly’s entertainment company, Joyful Celebrations. It’s hard to imagine the day when a bouncy castle is the right entertainment choice for seniors but the two came together perfectly for this captivating party.
“A significant goal for the Recreation Department at Menno Place is to bring the generations together and demystify the stigma of senior care homes”, says Alison Priebe, Recreation Aide who spearheaded the organization of the event. “This event met that goal and forever changed the way those little people will think about visiting great-grandpa or grandma.”
International Grandparents Day was first recognized in Canada in 1995. It is a family day intended to; honor grandparents, give grandparents an opportunity to show love for their children’s children; and help children become aware of the strength, information and guidance older people can offer.
Karen Baillie sums it up when she says, “Menno Place’s Grandparents Day Party was our opportunity to publicly affirm the identity and importance of grandparents and the vital role they play in the nurturing, upbringing and education of the next generations. It was our privilege to throw them a party!”
Family & Friends Support Network – October 15th
/in Family and FriendsJoin us to discover how family and friends can be supported and involved in residents’ lives at Menno Home and Hospital.
Thursday, October 15, 2015
1:30 – 2:30pm
Menno Home Chapel
Refreshments will be served.
We are looking forward to seeing you!
Facilitators:
Dan Janzen – Social Worker
Ruth Neufeld – Social Services
Fall Calendar:
Time: 1:30pm – 2:30pm
Location: Menno Home Chapel
Thursday, November 19
Thursday, December 17
Senior’s Advocate, Isobel Mackenzie visits Menno Place
/in NewsToday, we hosted Isobel Mackenzie for a tour and lunch at the Fireside Cafe. Isobel Mackenzie is Canada’s first seniors advocate, entirely independent from the provincial government.
As the voice of seniors in BC, Ms. Mackenzie has a broad mandate to monitor and review system-wide issues affecting the well-being of seniors and raise awareness about resources available to them. She will also make recommendations to government about how to best deliver seniors’ services.
To date, she has published four reports on issues that are critical to seniors – from caregivers in distress to affordable seniors housing to placement, drugs and therapy.
Access these reports and senior’s resouces here: http://www.seniorsadvocatebc.ca/
What people are saying about Grandparent’s Day! PLUS… a Winner!
/in Family and FriendsHere are the comments that people shared as highlights of the day:
Karen Baillie receives Canadian College of Health Leaders Chapter Award for Distinguished Service
/in NewsKaren Baillie provided significant leadership of the BC Lower Mainland Chapter as a past chair of the chapter.
Karen holds her Canadian Health Executive designation (CHE). In October 2014, the Mennonite Benevolent Society (Menno Place) and the Canadian College of Health Leaders (CCHL) signed the first agreement in British Columbia health care that commits to setting the Certified Health Executive (CHE) as a standard for leaders to develop skills and competencies of health leaders in Canada. This will help raise the level of leadership and management in the care of seniors in the province of British Columbia.
Congratulations, Karen, for providing significant healthcare leadership in our region, province and country!
Grandparent’s Day – What a Party!
/in Family and FriendsMenno Place residents are all smiles as they recollect the amazing National Grandparents Day Party that took place this past weekend. Residents invited children, grand-children and great-grandchildren to play with them in the 1 acre secure courtyard that is the center of the Menno Place campus. More than 600 people joined in the festivities!
“This is just like Playland!”, said one resident, referencing the huge local fair. He was hosting five of his great-grandchildren. All smiles, he led them to the cotton candy station where they all enjoyed a blue bundle of whipped sugar. Their next stop? The bouncy castles!
With bouncy castles, bean bag toss, a craft table sponsored by The Reach Gallery, storytime sponsored by The Fraser Valley Library, a photo booth, live entertainment, hot dogs, popcorn, bubble station, button station, temporary tattoos and karaoke, there wasn’t time to sit still. Children brought their energy and their joy to the senior’s campus of care.
When Mickey and Minnie Mouse made their appearance, both the children and the seniors broke into smiles. High-fives, big hugs and family photos with the legendary mice brought the generations together in a way that helps to solidify the bonds of family.
The party ran out of hot dogs… twice! “We planned for 300 people and thought that would be a huge success,” said Sharon Simpson, Director of Communications and Stakeholder Engagement, “We couldn’t imagine that so many of our residents would take the opportunity to share this day with their families.”
Over forty volunteers made the event possible by manning booths, providing security, cooking hotdogs, serving popcorn and cotton candy and transporting residents from their homes to the courtyard to take in the festivities. “We served over 60 litres of ice cream!”, laughs Karin Schroeder, a staff member who brought her daughter along to help for the day. An 85 year old senior said, “Dad always said no to cotton candy at the fair when I was a child. We could never afford it. This was the first time I’ve tried it!”
Annette Foster, Resident Care Co-ordinator and staff member for the past 18 years at Menno Place, was excited to see how her passion for seniors could dovetail with her husband, Kelly’s entertainment company, Joyful Celebrations. It’s hard to imagine the day when a bouncy castle is the right entertainment choice for seniors but the two came together perfectly for this captivating party.
International Grandparents Day was first recognized in Canada in 1995. It is a family day intended to; honor grandparents, give grandparents an opportunity to show love for their children’s children; and help children become aware of the strength, information and guidance older people can offer.
Family & Friends Support Network Kick-Off – Sept. 10th at 1:30pm
/in Family and FriendsCome and join us to discover how family and friends can be supported and involved in residents’ lives at Menno Home and Hospital.
Thursday, September 10th, 2015
1:30 – 2:30pm
Menno Home Chapel
Refreshments will be served.
We are looking forward to seeing you!
Facilitators:
Dan Janzen – Social Worker
Ruth Neufeld – Social Services
Fall Calendar:
Time: 1:30pm – 2:30pm
Location: Menno Home Chapel
Thursday, October 15
Thursday, November 19
Thursday, December 17
Training for Chaplaincy Volunteers – September 26th
/in Family and FriendsAre you interested in becoming a chaplaincy volunteer at Menno Place? Volunteers provide spiritual friendship and support for residents on a regular basis through visits and ongoing relationship.
Training takes place September 26th from 8:30am to 3:30pm in the Menno Hospital Chapel.
For more information or to sign up, contact:
Ingrid Schultz, Chaplain
Email: Ingrid.Schultz@MennoPlace.ca
Phone: 604.851.7396
or
David Dick, Chaplain
Email: David.Dick@MennoPlace.ca
Phone: 604.851.7395
Grandparent’s Day 2015, Sept. 12th – Kids, Grandkids & Great Grandkids INVITED!
/in Events, Family and FriendsYou are invited to enjoy a magical celebration of the role that a grandparent plays in the life of their grandchild. Bouncy castles, Mickey & Minnie, Cotton Candy, Korean Drum Line, The Reach Gallery Crafts, Photo Booth and so much more! Come for the fun, stay for the memory making. Celebrate that special grandparent, or great-grandparent. You will not be disappointed!
Join us for an afternoon of family, food, and fun!
DATE
Saturday, September 12, 2015
TIME
11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
LOCATION
Menno Place Courtyard
Bring your family and enjoy entertainment, story telling, face painting and jumping on bouncy castles! You could even meet Mickey and Minnie Mouse!
Hot dogs, popcorn, cotton candy, and ice cream will be available while supplies last!
Life’s Certainties
/in Articles, News, Sharon SimpsonBenjamin Franklin is the one who said, “In this world, nothing can be certain except death and taxes.” This has not changed since he penned those words more than 200 years ago.
We’re Green and Getting Greener!
/in NewsMenno Place Teams have taken on a significant initiative – The Paperless Project. This initiative seeks to reduce paper usage across the campus. Team members have been diligently choosing whether or not there is benefit in pressing the “print” button. What a success this project has been!
Since 2013, we have reduced our paper usage across the campus by 59%! Congratulations to the Team Members on this successful initiative!