Frost Manor volunteers honoured for their dedication
Friday, October 14, 2005 -- Craig Anderson
As volunteers make a significant contribution to the community at Frost Manor – from raising funds to leading programs and even offering spiritual solace to palliative residents – Vi O’Leary, Life enrichment coordinator, has made a point of each spring of formally acknowledging their efforts at an in-home ceremony and dinner.

For the last three years, however, Vi has taken this acknowledgement one step further – by nominating her volunteers for the Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration’s Outstanding Achievement Awards for Voluntarism in Ontario.

This year, the Ministry’s annual voluntarism awards will be presented on October 25th at the TrentWinds Convention Centre in Peterborough, Ontario.

Vi has nominated three adults and two juniors, all longstanding volunteers at the Lindsay-based long term care home, ranging from 3 to 10 years of service. And, to recognize the important role he plays in enlivening the spirits of the home’s residents, Vi has also nominated Cricket, a St. John Ambulance “therapy dog.” (The owner, Sandy Wansbrough, was a co-nominee.)

“It’s unbelievable the contributions they make,” says Vi, of the more than forty regular volunteers that consistently assist her and other Frost Manor staff.

“And the residents look forward to their visits and participation in our programs. They’re like part of the staff,” she says. “They’re wonderful.”

Nona Erskine, a retired schoolteacher nominated in the five year category, is a particular favourite of the residents, as she leads the weekly Sing-A-Long program. Another nominee, Viola Moore, herself a resident and President of the Resident’s Council, has been volunteering at the Frost tuck shop for ten years selling snacks, treats and novelty items.

Pastor Ron Luchies, nominated in the five year category, has led annual Christmas services, held Memorial Services, and provided spiritual counsel for residents in palliative care.

Britney and Katrina Sharpe, 14 and 12 respectively, came to Frost three years ago at the behest of an uncle, who was completing an internship. They have volunteered at the home ever since, holding weekly tea parties.

Cricket, a St. John Ambulance therapy dog, is adored by the residents and has been visiting every Friday since 2002.

“Volunteers are really important to Frost Manor, and they help me personally,” says Vi. “With some of them I say – ‘I don’t know what I’d do if you didn’t show up!’ You count on them. It was my intention to make sure that they were being recognized and celebrated.”