BECAUSE SOMEONE CARED

Church shows

Tke following story, written by a North Shore resident, is part of a series undertaken by the Lionsview Seniors' Planning Society to raise awareness of seniors’ services available on the North Shore, The program is sponsored by a grant from the New Horizons Program of Health and Welfare Canada. For more information about the society call 985-3852.

A HERMIT withdraws to solitude of his own will.

For the. socially isolated, withdrawal is the consequence of complex and often uncontrollable influences; bereavement, sickness, or financial problems are typical starting points . :

All too often a senior — the most common victim — disap- pears from sight until too late.

The problem is dual: knowing of the existence of isolated seniors, and making the first con- nection, because withdrawal is ad- dictive.

The following letter describes ‘how one church helps to meet the need,

“This letter is in response to

your request on how our church

deals with the problem of lonely seniors in the community. : “We have a caring, ministry in _ which there are 125 people taking

care of 350 in the community on a

one-to-one basis...

“This service covers those who

are in. senior accommodation as.

well as those in their own homes.

“The ‘service involves visits, walks and shopping, help with tax returns, bereavement support, rides to church, etc. We have also

_ been the advocates for some -seniors who are being abused.

‘We work very closely with the North Shore Long Terin Care and they have helped us considerably as:.people start to lose their in- dependence.

935 MARINE DRIVE,

“Parties are held at the church on occasions such as Valentine’s Day, Thanksgiving, etc. where the seniors are brought to the church, supplied with refreshments, enjoy entertainment, and meet a variety of other people.

“Once a week we have a seniors’ friendship group, at which they play bridge, and are given refreshments.

“Many ure encouraged to join the United Church Women groups, where regular meetings

compassion

and social events are arranged.

“If we can be of any further assistance, please do not hesitate to contaet us at 922-9171,

Signed Jan Andrews, pastoral assistant, West Vancouver United Church.”

Seniors’ Connections is a com- mittee of Lionsview Seniors’ Planning Society, and is dedicated to connecting services to isolated lonely seniors before it is too late.

Every good citizen can help, Call 983-3303.

a

NEWS photo Nell Lucente

TO COMMEMORATE the reopening of the Feil Armouries,

located at.1513 Forbes Ave., North Vancouver, Lt.-Col. A.G. Dempsey (left) and Major V.A.. Larocque cut into a cake dur- ing a special open house earlier this month. From May 1992 to June of this year, the armouries underwent $1.7 million renovations.

Sunday, Novenber 14, 1993 - North Shore News ~ 39

An open invitation

to all North Vancouver residents

The teachers and support staff in North Vancouver schools invite you to attend a

School Trustees ALL CANDIDATES MEETING

Sponsored by the North Vancouver Parent Advisory Council in partnership with the Soundary Community Schoo! Association and the North Vancouver Chamber of Commerce

Thursday, November 48, 1993 7:30 - 9:30 pm Canyon Heights Elementary School 4501 Highland Bivd.

Quality Education for the children of North Vancouver

is our priority.

Advertise ment paid for by:

North Vancouver Teachers’ Association (NVTA) #100 - 133 West 17th Street, North Vancouver, B.C. V7M 1V5 and Local 389 of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) 208 Pemberton Avenue, North Vancouver, B.C. V7P 2R5

Santa CLaus Is COMING TO BREAKEAST

Saturday November 20th at 8:00 a.m.

in the Food Court. Includes A&W Breakfast, Entertainment, Prizes and

Santa's arrival at 9:00a.m. Tickets available at Capilano Mall A&W

or information / Lottery Kiosk. Hurry, space is limited! i

i EF P|

NORTH VANCOUVER

GPEN MONDAY & TUESDAY 10:00-5:30, WEDNESDAY TO FRIDAY 10:00-9:00 SATURDAY 9:30-5:30, AND SUNDAY 11:00-5:00.