The Editor,
We thank United Way Estevan and supporting sponsors for the financial contribution to our volunteer programs. With your generous donations we are able to provide support to our clients through the following programs.
Friendly Visitor Program: Volunteers visit clients in the community, most of whom are elderly, isolated, have diminishing health and little family support. Our volunteers provide social, emotional and intellectual stimulation by having conversations, listening to music, playing games and reading. They also assist with errands such as grocery shopping, paying bills, banking and appointments. Many times these connections develop into friendships.
Long-distance and Local Driver Program: Drivers are used when clients need to attend medical appointments. The drivers donate their time but expenses are reimbursed by the client. Our drivers take good care of their passengers, assisting them from their home to the vehicle, to and from their medical appointments and safely home.
Palliative Volunteer Program: Volunteers provide assistance to terminally ill clients and their caregivers, either in the home or hospital. They provide a comforting presence by sitting, visiting, reading or listening to music with clients. They may provide assistance with errands or respite, giving caregivers a break from end-of-life-care duties. Often volunteers will continue to visit with caregivers after the death of the loved one, providing bereavement support.
Meals on Wheels: This is one of our most widely known programs and has been a part of Estevan Home Care for many years. More than 240 individuals from 26 groups take turns delivering meals at lunchtime, Monday through Friday, 52 weeks of the year. In 2014, drivers hailed from nine churches, six service groups and eleven businesses. Spare drivers fill in when needed. We appreciate the commitment of these organizations and their members who, year after year, enable this program to operate at a minimal cost to our clients.
We are pleased to report that a majority of the United Way Estevan funds that Home Care receives are used to recognize the volunteers who give back to the community. Without them, many of our programs would not exist and our clients would not benefit. We host two annual volunteer appreciation events, the Meals on Wheels luncheon in the spring and the Visitor-Driver luncheon in the fall. Both events are well attended and provide a social opportunity for volunteers to connect with one another. These events also provide an opportunity for us to express our gratitude to volunteers who provide essential services in our community. In addition, United Way funds are used to purchase supplies and specialized equipment for clients as well as education and learning resources for volunteers and staff.
We thank the community groups, businesses and individuals who support United Way member agencies through their financial contributions. We also thank United Way for its leadership, energy and commitment to our community. Lastly, we sincerely thank our many volunteers who are dedicated to their work, giving their time and energy to support our programs, while receiving the satisfaction of helping those in need.
With much appreciation, Estevan Home Care.
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Bernadette Wright, Home Care manager
Debbie Augey, volunteer co-ordinator
