Seniors Care Packages Delivered Just in Time for Canada Day

Seniors Care Packages Delivered Just in Time for Canada Day

Michelle Pinon News Advertiser

Members of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress Alberta Provincial Council, (UCC-APC), and Fort Saskatchewan-Vegreville MLA Jackie Armstrong- Homeniuk delivered special seniors care packages to Father Filas Manor in Mundare and Beaverhill Pioneer Lodge in Lamont on June 30.

Altogether, they delivered 140 care packages containing a face mask, hand sanitizer, toothpaste, and some Canada Day goodies.

Those care packages will also be redistributed to residents at Heritage Manor in Andrew, Elk Park in Chipman, Father Kryzanowsky Villa, and Dr. Strilchuk Villa in Mundare, Heritage Court and Villa 75 in Lamont, and Spring Creek Manor in Bruderheim.

“When COVID hit we wanted to ensure that we were reaching out and connecting to our vulnerable population, seniors, those who were in financial need. We did a food bank around Easter time and collected food and made donations to rural Alberta, and we also applied for a provincial grant to help us do this community outreach, specifically related to COVID. We took the initiative to make health care packages for our seniors… We thought it would be a good day to help our seniors celebrate Canada Day, let them know we are thinking about them, care about them, and let them know that during this is a difficult time,” stated UCC-APC President Orysia Boychuk.

In terms of response, Boychuk said, “People are very happy to see that there’s this engagement and the support and that people are concerned about the well being of our vulnerable, and we’ve had very great receptive feedback. We’re now going to be looking at little educational kits for children that we will be putting together commemorating Ukrainian Week. We will have Ukrainian celebrations during the last two weeks in August and during that time we will be focusing on the children and putting together packages to help support them, give them something to do. A little gift to help them through these difficult times.”

During the presentation, Boychuk stated, “Thank you for the hard work that you are doing. The front line workers, you know, it is a very difficult job, especially during this time, and so thank you very much.”

Jackie Armstrong-Homeniuk, MLA for Fort Saskatchewan-Vegreville, was on hand for the event and stated, “Thank you for all your hard work. I know how much cleaning and what extra work this has caused you. And there again, I hope COVID will disappear as quickly as it came, and just be something of the past so life can return to normal and we can actually go inside and visit with the seniors, that would be lovely once this COVID passes. I think they would really enjoy a visit from the outside. Hopefully, these care packages will show them that people are thinking about them.” Armstrong-Homeniuk also thanked staff members Michelle Svitich and Pauline Larson, recreation coordinator and housekeeper respectively, who were on hand to receive the care packages on behalf of residents. Larson responded by saying, “I’m sure they will appreciate it,” said Larson.

Boychuk thanked Armstrong-Homeniuk, saying, “If it weren’t for Jackie we probably wouldn’t be here today, and it was through our contact that she let us know about this grant that we were able to apply for, and because of the grant, that’s why we are here and able to do these deliveries. So, thank you.”

Armstrong-Homeniuk apologized for getting teary-eyed, but said she has a “soft spot for seniors” and was glad to be able to help out.