By Deanna Deacon
Central GM is proud to be bringing awareness to two more exceptional support resources this community has to offer.
Without the support the Canadian Mental Health Association-South Cariboo Branch (CMHA-SC) and 100 Mile District Hospice Palliative Care Society deliver every single day, 100 Mile House would not be the same place.
Folks are invited to join in this fundraising celebration by sharing what they can in the Trees of Giving donation boxes located around town – Central GM, One Another Coffee Shop, Our Kitchen Corner, Didi's Boutique, Borgos’ Sport Shack, Red Rock Grill and 70 Mile General Store.
The CMHA-SC plays an integral role in this region through offering programs, support and homeless outreach to their clients and the population at large. Some people become clients of the CMHA-SC by referring themselves and seeking the support they need, while others are referred.
The office houses a clubhouse – a comfortable, warm and relaxed atmosphere for clients to hang out, have some food and feel safe.
Soup de Tour, a program run out of the Community Kitchen in the Valley Room behind the Red Coach Inn, consists of a group of volunteers that gathers weekly to make 60 litres of soup and distributes it to local support groups.
Although this program feeds a large portion of our population on a weekly basis, the cost of keeping it running is rising and the need for volunteers and donations is high.
CMHA-SC, executive director Susann Collins says each year it gives Christmas gifts to each of its clients and through the homeless outreach program. Often these beautifully wrapped gifts consist of warm coats, gloves and scarves and will be the only gift received for the holidays.
For more information about the CMHA-SC, visit the office at 555-B Cedar Ave. – between the hospital and the old junior secondary school. Folks can also call the office at 250-395-4883.
The 100 Mile District Hospice Palliative Care Society supports both the individuals dealing with the illness, and their families that are caring for them.
Board member and longtime volunteer Caroline Sharpe says this support is given through supplying: equipment to aid with the clients’ challenging daily functions; volunteers giving comfort to the clients when they are bed-bound; and bereavement support with grief counselling for the family following a death.
Hospice also offers an extensive library filled with educational books and DVDs, which are accessible to the entire community free of charge.
Donations to Trees of Giving will be allocated to purchase essential new equipment, as well as regular education and training for the volunteers who work directly with the clients and families.
If you have any questions about the Hospice, you can call the office at 250-395-7680 – the answering machine is checked twice a day. The office is just inside the front door of the South Cariboo Health Centre Building at 555 Cedar Ave. Check out its website at www.100miledistricthospice.org.
Folks can drop by the Central GM Showroom, which is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m., and Saturday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., to see the Christmas tree display that represents the fundraising efforts for this charity.
Deanna Deacon is the Central GM's online marketing strategist and community engagement representative.