Land O’ Lakes Community Services

Cheryl Hartwick | Nov 25, 2015

The holiday season is upon us, and the New Year is fast approaching, so this seems like an opportune time for an update on the happenings at Land O’ Lakes Community Services. 2015 has been a busy and productive year for both our community based services and Pine Meadow Nursing Home as well as for the board of directors. Following are a few highlights of what’s going on.

Christmas Hamper Program:

With the support of our community and the hard work of our dedicated staff, the Christmas Hamper program has been helping local area families at Christmas time for ­31years. Through this program, we are able to provide local families with all the ‘fixins’ for a traditional Christmas dinner and a bit extra to help through the season. We also provide gifts for the kids to help make the season a little brighter.

The deadline to apply for a Christmas Hamper this year is December 4; you will need to come to the office and request an application. Hampers will be ready for pick-up on December 22 and delivery on the 23.

If you would like to help, we are accepting donations of non-perishable food items and new toys that can be dropped off at the office. Of course, monetary donations are also accepted, with tax receipts provided. For more information about the program, please call the office at 613-336-8934 and ask for Penny.

Partnerships:

Once again this year, we partnered with Napanee Community Health Centre and the O.P.P. to take applications for and help provide 40 local area children with winter boots, and with Clothes for Kids to supply 60 area children with warm winter outerwear.

Community Support Services:

Adult Drop-In: The Christmas dinner for Adult Drop-In will be held on Dec. 15 at noon at the Lions Hall in Northbrook. For a cost of $13 you can enjoy a home cooked Christmas lunch, prepared by our volunteer cooks. You also get to enjoy a bit of entertainment and the company of others from the community. If you plan on attending this drop-in, please contact Pam by Dec.1, as we need to know the numbers for preparation.

“The Golden Girls” is a new women’s group and their first meeting was very successful; 18 women participated in the group and it sounds as though everyone enjoyed it. If you are interested in joining the group or would like more information, call the office @ 613-336-8934 and ask for Pam.

Pine Meadow Nursing Home

As you are probably already aware, the redevelopment of Pine Meadow is complete, and the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care gave us the designation of a “new” home. However, as with all infrastructures, there are ongoing needs, and we are currently undergoing efforts to replace many aging windows.

We have also applied to the South East LHIN (Local Health Integration Network) for licensing for four new beds. This has been an ongoing process and our waiting list shows the need for these beds. There are petitions available in the community for you to sign and show your support of this need; petitions are located at Pine Meadow Nursing Home, Land O’ Lakes Community Services, and Lakelands Family Health Team. Please consider stopping to sign one of the petitions.