For the past year and a half, I have had the privilege of working for the Mahone Bay Centre as coordinator of the Mahone Bay Area Seniors Project, a group of volunteers dedicated to enriching the lives of local seniors by offering social, recreational and educational programs for 50+ members of the community, as well as making compelling attempts at a seniors helping seniors program, designed to utilize the skills possessed by senior members of the Mahone Bay Area to aid in the betterment of the community at large.
Though there have certainly been stumbling blocks, I cannot fully emphasize the successes this program has accomplished. Under the supervision of the ever dedicated Ted Hobson, and with the help of a mass of committed volunteers, we have hosted health information sessions, pot lucks, and dances, we have organized a softball team, a walking club and a badminton group, we have painted washrooms, built walkways and offered computer assistance to people in our community; the list of achievements is long, and I am proud to have been a part of their fruition and execution.
However, my part in this Project – in an official capacity – is coming to an end.
Since June of 2008, the Project has been supported in greater part by both provincial and federal government grants. As much as these funds were well budgeted and wisely invested in programs, necessary equipment and salary, it is a reserve that cannot last, with a cap of employment set for December 31, 2009. As much as I believe the Project has noble goals and has only the best of intentions for the community, an opportunity for employment has been offered to me that I feel compelled to accept. Therefore, as of Friday, November 13, 2009, I will be leaving the Seniors Project. Contact information for the Project – the telephone number and the e-mail address – will remain active; current programs will also remain active unless otherwise announced.
I strongly encourage anyone interested in aiding the Project in their endeavours to make contact and offer their services. All are welcome to participate and aid in the programs and events; the more are always the merrier.
I would like to thank the Mahone Bay Centre for the opportunities they have given me during their employ; I would like to thank our many volunteers for their vast efforts with our programs and events; more than anything, I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to Ted Hobson – his heart, mind and soul (as well as a great deal of physical labour!) go into this Project. He is an incredible inspiration, and deserves more thanks, more kind words, and more admiration than I alone am able to give.
I wish you all the best in the days and years to come.
Sincerely Yours,
Victoria Lynn Hirtle
