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Welcome! I am so pleased to welcome you to our first-ever e-newsletter. We plan to keep you up-to-date about our work and our oganization as well as share with you interesting and topical information. As we are a volunteer-driven organization 100% funded by donations and fundraising, we will let you know about our fundraising events, too. —Nancy Deschenes, Chair HHNL Board of Directors.
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New Reference Section at Mississippi Mills Public Library, Almonte Branch
HHNL has entered into an arrangement with MMPL to make reference material more accessible to the public. A dedicated section can be found near the front of the library. Shown here are, from left, Pat Coderre (HHNL Visiting Volunteer), Jan Watson (Vice Chair HHNL), Phyllis Moore (Director HHNL), Nancy Deschenes (Chair HHNL), Monica Blackburn (Deputy CEO and Children’s Librarian) and Jane Henderson (Past Chair HHNL) at the launch of the program on March 2, 2021. We hope to expand this program to other area libraries in the future.
READ MORE
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Do you or a loved one need support from our team? Please contact Allison Griffith, RN at info@hhnl.ca or (613) 406-7020
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Sixteen true stories of grief, anger and healing.
The Sisterhood of Widows is a collection of stories from widows of all walks of life who reflect and comment about life after the deaths of their husbands. Emotionally every widow handles it differently and yet there is a common bond they share that makes them part of a sisterhood. Their stories cover death from accidents, cancer, heart attacks and even suicide. It is passionate and at times the anger leaps off the pages. It is truthful and sometimes painful.
We will feature one or more of the titles from our collection in each e-newsletter.
OUR COLLECTION
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Over the next few editions, we are going to introduce our Board members — the hard-working people behind the scenes of HHNL — a few at a time.
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Meet Nancy Deschenes…
Nancy obtained her training as a Registered Nurse in Sudbury. Her career took her in many interesting directions — she was a Canadian Certified Occupational Health Nurse, an Infection Control Practitioner and an Employee Assistance Councillor. She welcomed every challenge, never stopped learning and never shied away from taking a leadership role. All of these experiences, including work in mental health and palliative care, are what make Nancy an excellent Chair of our Board of Directors. It is fortunate for HHNL that Nancy and her husband decided to move to the area in 2009 to be closer to children and grandchildren. A someone who was used to keeping busy, she set to work to find ways to contribute to her new community. She volunteered at St. Paul's Anglican Church as a pastoral care visitor. After her husband passed away, Nancy reflected on how they could have benefited from more support. So when her pastor mentioned that HHNL was looking for board members, it seemed like a perfect fit.
"We look forward to working every day to do what we can to ensure that every person in our community at the end of their life may live in dignity, respect and comfort and not feel alone." —Nancy Deschenes
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Click here to watch a short video of Nancy talking about the work HHNL does. https://hhnl.ca/2020/10/01/home-hospice-north-lanark-presentation/
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Meet Jan Watson…
Jan has been on the Board of Home Hospice North Lanark for 5 years and is currently the Vice Chair. Jan brings to the table her training as a Social Service Worker and 25 years' work with Carebridge Community Support (formerly Mills Community Support) in both the Developmental Services Program and in the Home Support Program supporting seniors. Jan is also a Board member for the Almonte Civitan Club and the Linn Bower Seniors Residence in Clayton. She also volunteers for Carebridge and the Canadian Cancer Society and is on the fundraising committee for the Almonte General Hospital. Jan is the epitome of the saying "when you want something done, ask a busy person."
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Meet Phyllis Moore…
Phyllis's family roots are in the Ottawa Valley. She was raised in Deep River, attended High School there and then graduated from Algonquin College in Ottawa. Following a few years working for a law firm she met her husband of now 50 years, Jim. As a stay-at-home Mom for 15 years, they raised 3 children who have now given them five wonderful grandchildren. During those years she volunteered as a member of PTAs, Church groups, community fundraising and as a Girl Guide Commissioner. That experience taught her the value and satisfaction of giving time and energy to community initiatives and volunteer organizations. Eventually she began a career in the Federal Government followed by 10 years in the private sector as an owner of two ladies consignment stores. In recent years she has followed the development of Hospice Care as an essential element of our healthcare system and saw its power as her mother-in-law battled cancer and passed away. Phyllis was deeply impacted by the wonderful help given to her in her final days by a doctor and nurses trained in hospice care.
When they relocated to Almonte six years ago and became acquainted with the work of Home Hospice North Lanark she decided to volunteer her time to that organization. Her work as a Director, and a member of the fundraising committee is much appreciated!
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You've got mail!
Our Visiting Volunteers are busy writing "Notes of Caring" to residents living in Long Term Care. This began with Christmas cards written to over 75 residents to brighten their windowsills and spread some Christmas cheer. Volunteers continued their notes of caring with Valentine's cards and ongoing notes to assigned residents. As we can't visit in person our team is managing to find ways to support residents at a distance. We are told that residents are delighted with receiving old fashioned mail!
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We are so grateful for our Visiting Volunteers, and Allison Griffiths RN who oversees the program — they are the heart of our organization.
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Two great organizations. One fundraiser. Rain Barrels are only $70 delivered right to your door! Order yours by May 24, 2021 for delivery in the first week of June. A great way to water your new trees if you ordered any from HHNL! Order at www.RainBarrel.ca/AlmonteProjects or call the Lions Club at 1-833-546-6725 or email rainbarrels@hhnl.ca
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Mark your calendars; our last inventory update for this season will be on Wednesday, March 17 at 9 a.m. Go to trees.hhnl.ca
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The above cartoon was created by Tara Shannon, who has graciously allowed us to include it in our newsletters. We feel it embodies exactly what we do at HHNL.
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Thank you for taking the time to read our first e-newsletter. We hope you will welcome our quarterly missives in your in box, but if you'd prefer not to receive them, please see below.
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