The importance of seniors connecting has become very apparent, and the Township of LaVallee has taken giant strides in seeing it happen.
In the spring of 2023, LaVallee Municipal Council held a public meeting and circulated questionnaires to obtain input for its first-ever Strategic Plan. In feedback received during those sessions, providing activities for seniors was clearly a priority for respondents.
Seniors were invited to attend a meeting to form a committee with two council members and up to eight volunteers, numbers the committee has filled to present day. The volunteers have worked diligently to provide activities, including bi-weekly coffee gatherings, weekly yoga, painting and craft classes, bingo, various games, pancakes breakfasts, catered meals, trips to the theatre, Moose and Fiddle music festival, Kay-Nah-Chi-Wah-Nung Historical Centre, Rainy Lake pontoon boat trips, potluck dinners, a family picnic and even a magic show.
Funding for some of the events has been provided by provincial NOHFC grants and a federal New Horizons grant. Volunteers did most of all the work to apply for the grants, with municipal staff administering them. Municipal council agreed to allow use of the Devlin Hall at no cost for the bi-weekly coffee gatherings.
LaVallee Senior of the Year Charlene MacTavish noted that the number of participants the Seniors events draw is a clear measure of the success of the initiative.
“Volunteering is the price you pay for living in a great community,” she said.
“I am always impressed by the loud chatter and laughter whenever I walk into the hall during a coffee break or other event. This, along with the many times people stop me to say how much they appreciate the organization, is the best measure of all success.”
Donations are used to pay for things like coffee supplies and attendance prizes. Most events are held in the community hall, which is accessible for everyone. Donations of home baking also help to make up some of the treats available at different events.
The need for social activities is important to everyone, but especially for seniors. These activities help to keep people active while preventing loneliness and depression. Old acquaintances are often renewed and new friendships formed. The meals encourage better nutrition for those that have difficulty with appetite or cooking. Guest speakers at events have educated seniors about mental health, fraud, wills and estates. The Paramedicine program visits help monitor physical health. Volunteering, either for the committee or at events, make participants realize they have talents and skills to offer that are very valuable.
As for the community members who have volunteered their time to become part of the committee, the common denomination is that they all felt it would be a benefit to the community, helping to draw seniors together and help improve their lives.
Wade and Marlene Nelson attend all the seniors events. They shared that the events are great for helping them stay connected to the wider community.
“We have enjoyed the seniors programs,” they said.
“It is nice to keep in touch with people in your community with suppers, coffee gatherings, bingo, exercise, speakers and craft classes. We are so thankful that we live in such a great community.”
Ken and Peggy Mason, frequent attendees at the coffee gathering, agreed with the Nelson’s sentiments, and said the senior coffee gatherings have allowed them to reconnect with old friends and make new ones.
“Having coffee gatherings every second Tuesday is a wonderful opportunity to reunite with our old friends and community,” they said.
