PEACHLAND VIEW
OCTOBER 14, 2016
7
COMMUNITY
Helping Hands delivers strength in numbers ANITA DESJARDINS
THE WELLNESS CENTRE
AMONG THE MANY who joined the party for the Peachland Wellness Centre’s 15th birthday (from the left) were Lisa Spalleck, Janet Wyper, Avril Briggs and Wayne Power.
DAN WALTON
Peachland Wellness Centre turns 15 PHYLLIS PAPINEAU
THE WELLNESS CENTRE The Wellness Centre exists today because of hundreds of people who believed in it. People like Linda and Ernie Sarsons, Shirley and Gene Zaporzan and Gordie McBryan who were responsible for renovating the little house. Doors had to be widened, bathroom re-built, and the ramp for wheelchair access assembled. Doug Armitage and Chris Scowen did the paperwork and a new Board of Directors was appointed, consisting of Jean Miller, Adrien Vaughan and Gregor MacLean who hired Dianne Geddes as our first coordinator. The two major tenants, The Daybreak program, which offered respite for caregivers and the Red Cross Loan Cupboard required many dedicated volunteers. The frozen meals program offered nutritious meals to many who were on their own. There was Jerry Dober who wanted to give back to the Wellness Centre by starting the breakfast program. In spite of his own serious health problems, Jerry was there every Sunday, cheerfully greeting “his family”. One Sunday we had the distinction of having two past mayors, George Waldo and Gordon Harris, and one current mayor enjoying their bacon and
eggs. Over the years, many new programs were added to the roster with new volunteers getting involved. From the start it was obvious, the Peachland Wellness Centre would need staff but it was the work of the volunteers who would carry out the programs. Very early volunteer appreciation events were established and happily are still carried on to this day. Funding was a huge
issue. I was told we could renovate the little house on 5th Street as long as it didn’t cost the municipality anything. Ten thousand dollars in donated materials were quickly found from firms as far away as Vernon. The Legion donated the lift and Gorman Brothers, the wood for the ramp. The original peach tree was started with each of us donating $500 to help pay the
bills. Since then a new tree has many branches of support and the Wellness Centre is thriving, hopefully for at least another 15 years. Thanks to the founders who made the PWC what it is today so people of all ages enhance their well-being, embrace opportunities, and enjoy life in the community.
We need your input on future garbage and recycling programs at an Open House near you! Topics include; more recycling, food waste, review of curbside services, recycling depots and transfer stations, construction and business waste.
Location
Times: 4 - 8 pm
North Westside – Killiney Community Hall
Monday, October 17
West Kelowna – Lions Hall
Tuesday, October 18
Peachland – Community Centre
Wednesday, October 19
Lake Country – Community Complex/ George Elliott Secondary School
Monday, October 24
Joe Rich – Joe Rich Community Hall
Tuesday, October 25
Kelowna – Coast Capri Hotel
Wednesday, October 26
Can’t make an Open House? Review the info and take our on-line survey at regionaldistrict.com/garbagefuture For more info visit regionaldistrict.com/garbagefuture or call 250-469-6250
“We’re Stronger Together” reads a poster on my bulletin board. This poster was created at a team-building event last month for the staff of the Peachland Wellness Centre. We were tasked with clipping magazine photos with expressions that described our experiences at work. As the Outreach Facilitator, my poster speaks to helping people in need of food, shelter, socialization, and public services. Helping residents who are hungry, unable to get to appointments, or short of money for rent and other essential items, a “Helping Hands” program is being developed that will guide us to provide access to various resources, some of which can be immediately attained (food); or
others that will deliver long-term solutions (shelter, transportation) for the residents of Peachland. We just celebrated our 15th Anniversary last week during which I was touched by the speeches and stories of past presidents, volunteers, and public servants who recognized the need a long time ago to have a place in Peachland where people can come, be a little vulnerable, be a lot hopeful, and most importantly, find the resources to manage their dayto-day living. I took away from our celebration the message that what has been created at the PWC has been crucial to the life of this community, and we, the present-day custodians, can be inspired to continue to reach out in this incredible spirit, recognizing that with each step we take, “We’re Stronger Together”.