‘Good Neighbours’ give hospital ‘comfort kits’

Continuing their mission to make every town resident feel like they’re all part of one big neighborhood, the local “Good Neighbours” council recently supplied La Verendrye hospital with six “comfort kits.”
“We contacted the hospital and they were happy to have them,” said council chair Vivian O’Donnell.
The kits–intended for people who may be admitted unexpectedly and without personal effects–contain items such as shaving cream, toothpaste and a toothbrush, gum, a comb and brush, Kleenex, and other things (depending on the person and their situation).
“I gave them to the nurse managers to distribute to the two in-patient care units,” said Susan Ossachuk, director of nursing practice at La Verendrye.
“They were very pleased–I think they’ll be put them to good use.”
In the past two years, the “Good Neighbours” council also has placed about 50 kits at the Atikokan Crisis Centre, the local Salvation Army, and several First Nations services.
Some of these kits, geared more for crisis situations where a woman may have had to leave her home quickly due to domestic problems, contain diapers, a face cloth, soap, and a children’s book or small toy.
O’Donnell said the “kit” program started when the council heard of a woman who had been hurt while in the bush and was admitted to hospital here.
“She had no family who could bring her things. She didn’t even have a toothbrush–she tried to clean her teeth by rubbing them with Kleenex,” she noted.
The comfort kits have been made possible through the participation of local businesses, some of which have placed donation boxes in their staff rooms and given money collected from casual dress days.
“We’re quite pleased. We put out a letter to various businesses and got a good response,” O’Donnell remarked.
Meanwhile, O’Donnell also is encouraging people to get involved with the local “Good Neighbours” council, which outside its partnerships with groups such as the Fort Frances Volunteer Bureau and local Seniors’ Coalition, only consists of a handful of members.
“We need more workers. We want people interested in promoting a good neighborhood and a good town,” she stressed.
“Good Neighbours” operates under the Ministry of Citizenship, Culture and Recreation with the mission to encourage volunteerism in the community, or as O’Donnell put it, “see more people helping people.”
Future events include three more seniors’ socials this year like the one held in conjunction with Valentine’s Day, as well as a workshop focused on understanding life as a senior.
Those interested in joining can contact O’Donnell (274-7903) or Joan Pearson (274-9555).