The holiday season was a busy one for our local Community Response Networks (CRNs)…and it looks like the momentum hasn’t stopped! Please click on the photos to view a larger image.
Castlegar CRN
Submitted by Sandi McCreight, CRN Coordinator
Through the Kootenay Increasing Recreation Involving Seniors (IRIS) Program, (BC CRN is one of the program’s funders.) the Castlegar CRN has had a super packed December. The IRIS Team hosted:
- 28 seniors for coffee and Scrabble.
- A movie night complete with popcorn. Fifteen people enjoyed Operation Christmas Drop.
- A lunch and learn session featuring a talk by a community paramedic. Thirty-five seniors enjoyed a complimentary home-cooked lunch while they learned.
- A Christmas card-making workshop that was attended by 14 seniors.
- A holiday celebration that was attended (safely) by 58 seniors and 11 volunteers. The event included live Christmas carols, coffee and hot spiced apple juice, a menu of healthy and delicious foods. The IRIS crew held two identical events to accommodate more people and enable volunteers to participate.
- A Christmas card campaign that had students making cards that were delivered to approximately 200 of the community’s seniors.
- Sandi McCreight, Castlegar CRN Coordinator says: “Thank you doesn’t seem enough, but know it is heartfelt and sincere.”
- Kudos to:
- To the grads for the poinsettia plants
- Jaydeen and her mom for dishcloths
- Robson School students and staff for making beautiful Christmas Cards and to Cherryl for ensuring the cards were delivered.
- The Castlegar Rebels hockey team and fans gift donations
- Kathleen and Brad of McDonald’s for endless support all year
- Michelle Postnikoff for leading the team in the Christmas Card workshop
- Deb MacIntosh, the local Food Bank, and Creston Canada Choice for cases of Apple Juice
- Kalesnikoff Lumber for donating 100 gift bags stuffed with fabulous gifts and baking, and for helping the team hold their Holiday Celebration event
- Kelly, Leanne, Gord, Linda, and Deb for delivering the bags
- Joanne, Peter, Deb, and Linda for creating the IRIS gift bags given to all attending our events
- Deb and Linda for doing a ton of baking included in those gift bags
- Ashley at the local Safeway for supporting Christmas Oranges for all
- Rich and Becky for making meals that were so appreciated by all
- The community’s seniors who brought desserts for the event and donated door prizes for the events
- Joanne for organizing everything and keeping everyone organized.
- Kim for doing the bookkeeping throughout the year.
- Kayla for helping behind the scenes with administration and phone calls
- Rhonda, CBAL, and Eleanor, who worked together all year on events like Tech Learning and Scrabble.
- The IRIS Crew for their dedication to local seniors.
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(Photo source: Kootenay IRIS Facebook)
Kamloops CRN
The CRN and the Kamloops’ Centre for Seniors Information (CSI) held their annual Secret Santa gift program. The 10-year-old program started out small, delivering between 70 and 150 care packages to seniors identified as being isolated in Kamloops.
Packages are filled with standard items, such as toothbrushes, razors, deodorants, socks, gloves, toques, puzzle books, and blankets. There are also handmade items from children of local schools. Food hampers are also included as needed. The gifts are then delivered to the home of each senior. View December’s article on the program.
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(Photo source: Kamloops’ Centre for Seniors Information Facebook page)
Cranbrook CRN
The CRN and Tamarack Centre handed out bags full of resources from local community organizations, along with bags of goodies courtesy of these community partners – United Way BC – Southern Interior, East Kootenay CCRR, Alzheimer’s Society of BC, and BC Community Response Networks. Maisel, the dog, helped fill the bags!
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(Photo source: Cranbrook CRN)
Maple Ridge, Pitt Meadows, Katzie CRN
The CRN hosted a Seniors Movie Matinee event at Cineplex Odeon Meadowtown on Dec. 7. The event was safely attended by 200 seniors. The Maple Ridge Pitt Meadows Katzie CRN is a sub-committee of the Maple Ridge Pitt Meadows Katzie Seniors Network, which enables the CRN to access several community partners who support seniors.
“The event was lots of fun. We showed ‘A Christmas Story’, offered refreshments, and had lots of CRN swag and information,” says Coordinator Judith Macrae. “Door prizes were donated by some local organizations, and Santa and his elf!”
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(Photos: Jenny Naylor Photography, J. Mccrae, H. Treleaven)
Sparwood CRN
Sparwood CRN members visited residents of Lilac Terrace and gave out gift bags containing an assortment of items that included BC CRN information. “We want all seniors to feel valued and respected, especially during the holidays,” says Coordinator Lois Halko.
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(Photo source: Sparwood CRN Facebook)
Tri-Cities CRN
Submitted by Ken Kuhn, Regional Mentor – Fraser Valley West
The Tri-Cities Seniors’ Action Society and the Tri-Cities CRN hosted a free, fun, Zoom Christmas event on December 16th from 1:00 to 3:00 pm.
Twenty-nine attendees shared memories and stories of past Christmases, listened to Christmas music performed by the Gleneagle Secondary School Music Department, had fun with lots of Christmas trivia, and shared stories of Christmas traditions while growing up in various parts of the world. We had a terrific time…and everyone registered won a gift prize.
Some of the trivia questions of the night included:
- Everyone is familiar with the mistletoe tradition. What is the colour of the berries of the plant? (White)
- What is the French name for Santa Claus? (Pere Noel)
- Who played George Bailey in the Christmas classic “It’s a Wonderful Life”? (Jimmy Stewart)
- What beverage company has been using Santa Claus in its advertising since 1931? (Coca Cola)
- From which country does the poinsettia plant originate? (Mexico)
The first event for 2022 was a free Movie Matinee event on January 17, followed by an It’s Not Right! workshop on January 24.
Look forward to next month’s events, all free, and all for seniors living in the Tri-Cities:
- Zoom party on February 14 at 1 PM to celebrate Valentine’s Day. For more information contact kuhn@bccrns.ca.
- Movie Matinee on February 16 starting at 12:30 PM at Cineplex Cinemas located at 170 Schoolhouse St. Death on the Nile will be the feature show. Admission is free for seniors, who will also receive a free pop or bottled water and popcorn. All attendees will be physically distanced. Mask and vaccination IDs are mandatory. Advance registration required by emailing scoffins@gmail.com or calling 604-949-0599. This event is sponsored by BC CRN.
For more information on upcoming events (there are several!), please email ken.kuhn@bccrns.ca to subscribe to the CRN’s monthly newsletter.
(Header Photo: Jenny Naylor Photography)
