Fall tea fundraiser attracts 200 to Mattawa home
Friday October 31, 2003 Roderick Benns
Algonquin Nursing Home had more than 200 people turn out for its annual fall tea fundraiser. Crafts and baked goods were for sale and many community groups took part in ensuring it was a success.
As the church pews emptied and people poured into the coolness of fall in Mattawa recently, many of the attendees headed for a long-term care facility. In fact, more than 200 people showed up at Algonquin Nursing Home for a 26-year-old tradition – a fall tea fundraiser.

In impressive numbers Mattawa has rallied around the annual fall tea fundraiser for residents and community members for a long time, says Resident and Family Services Co-ordinator Angela Douglass.

“People make a special trip for this,” says Douglass.

At one point there was a line-up to get into the dining room. “Our community is just so supportive because they know the money goes to our activities department” and special events, says Douglass.

Zena Monestime, administrator of the 72-bed nursing home, was very pleased with the turnout. “The tea was very, very successful. It was the best ever. People even came from out of town to attend and the weather was wonderful,” says Monestime.

The tea is an excellent example, says Douglass, of how the Mattawa community, staff members and residents work together. Volunteers from the district donate sandwiches and desserts for the luncheon. Groups such as the Legion Ladies Auxiliary, the Golden Age, the Hospital Auxiliary, the Catholic Women’s League, the Missionary Church and the Near North Palliative Care Network act as hostesses.

In a press release, organizers highlight how nursing home staff members help out by setting up the dining room, helping residents get dressed in their Sunday best, and making sure the residents enjoy themselves.

Barb Mayer, a volunteer from Minnesota (who has a cottage nearby), makes crafts with the residents during the summer months, which are then sold at the tea. As well, homemade baking done by volunteers is donated to sell. Over the last few years, one of the most special events is the selling of baking done by the residents during their cooking classes. This year, the residents’ raspberry and apples pies were big sellers.

The Algonquin Nursing Home is fully bilingual in this town of 4,500, situated along the Mattawa and Ottawa Rivers. Visit their website at www.anh.ca

 

 
 
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