Copper, the therapy dog, really works a room. He comes to the Grace Social Activity Centre (GSAC) in Sydenham on Wednesday mornings each week to visit with the participants in one of the Adult Day Program sessions that are a core service of Southern Frontenac Community Services. Copper meanders through the room, visiting with the program participants, reacting to them as they welcome him into their world.

And it is immediately clear that everyone at GSAC loves Copper.

His handler is Trina Mawer of the Parham area. She keeps Copper on a leash during the sessions, and generally takes a back-seat role.

“I am very proud to be a member of the St. John Ambulance Therapy Dog Program, even though most often people don't remember my name, as it's always all about Copper,” said Trina Mawer.

Trina is a lifelong dog lover, and she prefers large breed dogs. When she got Copper, a Leonberger, she found that not only was he big, but he was also very, very calm and very affectionate. His nickname is ‘Loving Lummox’.

That’s where the idea of putting Copper to work as a therapy dog came in. Trina thought that Copper could bring joy to people who need it.

“When I contacted St. John Ambulance about the therapy dog program, it was the beginning of a long journey. They are very careful about the way the program works, for the sake of the public, the dogs, the dog owners, and their own needs as an organisation,” she said.

“There really isn't any specialised training for a therapy dog, it's mainly their temperament and disposition. Although obviously obedience and manners are imperatively important. A therapy dog must be friendly and get along well with other dogs. Any signs of protection or aggressiveness is not acceptable.” 

The process did not begin with an evaluation of Copper, however. First, they interviewed Trina.

“They wanted to know what kind of person I was, and what I expected out of the program, before they even considered Copper,” she said.

Trina passed muster, and once they met Copper, they knew they had found the right dog for the program.

In addition to the Grace Centre, Trina brings Copper to the Country View Care Retirement Home once a week.

And Copper is an award winner. In his first year with the Therapy Dog program, 2018, he won the ‘rookie of the year’ award from St. Johns for the most visits in his first year with the program.

Although Copper is always game to go to work, it does tire him out.

“After about an hour, even he has had enough attention. He sleeps well when we get home,” said Trina.

Copper also gets a bit of the star treatment.

Not only are all of his medical records 100% up to date at all times, his coat is also soft and fluffy due to brushing at least 3 times a week.  He also “indulges in going to the 'spa' every 8 weeks at Groom to Bloom in Hartington,” Trina, “Lauren [who runs Groom to Bloom] gives him superb attention as her specialty is knowing the various breeds, coats and specifications.” 

The St. John Ambulance Therapy Dog program started in June, 1992 as a pilot program in Peterborough, and is now a nationwide program of St. John’s Ambulance. As of 2015 there were 3,000 dog teams across the country.

They visit senior’s homes, hospitals and other care facilities, as well as schools and universities.

For further information about the program, contact the Kingston office at (613) 384-8062

Last Friday, Southern Frontenac Community Services (SFCS) held a ground-breaking ceremony to celebrate the beginning construction of an accessible entrance to the lower level of the Grace Centre in Sydenham. This level is where the Adult Day Program, some admin offices and the commercial kitchen are located, and at present it is reached only by stairs or a small lift. The new ramp will provide full, safe access into and out of the main room, replacing the current short steep stairway in the northeast corner of the building.  

The project has been made possible by a $125,000 grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation. OTF’s Grant Review Team member Rosemary Rooke and MPP Randy Hillier were on hand to congratulate SFCS’s Executive Director, David Townsend, and together they presented the Ontario Trillium Foundation’s plaque to Margaret Knott, Vice Chair of Frontenac County’s Accessibility Committee. In thanking them, Ms Knott quoted Rick Hansen: “Everyone should be able to go everywhere.”

John Garrah and Harry Tibbs from M. Sullivan and Son Contracting joined Hillier, Townsend and Knott in a brief groundbreaking ceremony, then along with staff and guests enjoyed refreshments on the adjoining patio.

February 2017 - This story began when Sharon was referred to Sandy, coordinator of the Hospice Palliative Care Program at Southern Frontenac Community Services. When Sandy met Sharon and her husband Dale, Sharon had been struggling with COPD since 2005 and her shortness of breath was increasing to the point where she needed constant oxygen. Despite the oxygen, her shortness of breath was worse with any exertion. Whenever Dale had to leave the home Sharon became anxious and that caused more difficult breathing.

Sandy offered to match her with a volunteer who could provide some companionship for Sharon, someone other than family or health care workers. Sharon thought that having a volunteer would be a good option to explore, her husband Dale was open to the program, so a volunteer was selected to visit with Sharon.

“I didn’t know what to expect at the beginning,” said Sharon.

Once Sharon and Kari met, it was clear that they were going to become friends. They were comfortable with each other right away.

Kari recalled: “At our first meeting, we made a list of things we could do together to fill the time when I would be visiting.” The list included many things, such as watching movies, playing cards, going to Bingo, and “helping with small tasks around the house.” Kari even coloured Sharon’s hair! This was a first for Kari. Sharon quickly came to look forward to Kari’s visits.

The pair reviewed that list when they were approached for this article: Kari and Sharon laughed when they looked at the “to do” list of activities. They realized they had accomplished a lot! They have done many things over the two years, and sometimes they sit and talk, depending on Sharon’s energy level. “Kari is always so flexible. She is willing to help with whatever I need.” There have been times when Dale has been away and Kari makes extra visits to help alleviate Sharon’s anxiety.

“Kari has had a great impact on my life. Her visits are something to look forward to, different from family. She has become a really good friend. I didn’t expect that; we are a really good match. I would absolutely recommend the program to anyone.”

Kari echoed Sharon’s sentiments about the surprise of warm friendship, “That aspect is a real bonus. I knew what COPD was but I have learned about the impact it has on a person’s life. Volunteering with the Hospice Palliative Program is so incredibly rewarding. I would recommend it to anybody who wants to make a difference in another person’s life and get the benefits from helping.”

If you or someone you know would benefit from this service, or if you would like to become a volunteer, please connect with Sandy at SFCSC for more details.

613-376-6477 (ext. 308)

www.sfcsc.ca/hospice

Nona Mariotti started up the South Frontenac Garden Tour last year as a kind of experiment.

Would gardeners be willing to open up their gardens for people to come and see? Would people want to come out to see the beautiful gardens.

The answer to all those questions was a resounding yes, and so the second annual garden tour is now in the planning stages. 7 gardens are already lined up for this year, including some new ones, and Nona is looking for four or five more to make the tour bigger than the one last year.

“People aren’t going to visit 12 gardens in one day, but they do like variety and they also like to explore different geography,” Nona said.

She is particularly interested in attracting some gardens in the Perth Road and Buck Lake regions to add a different dimension to the tour.

“We have some wonderful places in the North Kingston – Inverary areas, one in Battersea, and over in Sydenham and up towards Frontenac Park, and we are still looking for more in those regions, but we would like to go further north on Perth Road as well,” she said.

The tour is scheduled for July 7 from 9m to 3pm and it is only the grounds of properties that are part of the tour, not the houses themselves.

“Last year it was a great experience for the visitors and hosts alike, a chance to share information and the joy of gardens. We keep the price to the public low, only $10, and all of the proceeds go to Southern Frontenac Community Services,” she said.

If you have a garden to share, contact Nona at 613- 893-2015

Frontenac County did well by the Community Foundation of Kingston and Area this week. 5 of the 15 grants announced at a ceremony at Sydenham Street United Church in Kingston are going to projects that are located in Frontenac County.

They include a $13,104 grant to the Elbow Lake Environmental Education Centre’s Winter Ecology Education Centre. The grant is intended to provide the opportunity for youth to actively learn and research about winter. The grant will go towards new equipment and a bus subsidy.

“Youth and new Canadians will access and study winter ecology first hand. They will learn what is happening above and below the snow and ice. This will inspire local youth to feel connected with the environment around them and be empowered to become environmental stewards,” said the release accompanying the grant announcement.

Southern Frontenac Community Services is receiving $3,658 for a professional 10 quart mixer to go in the commercial kitchen at the Grace Centre. The mixer will be used for the meals on wheels program that delivers 150 hot meals a week to seniors in the community, as well as to broaden the meal variety for Adult Day Program clients. SFCS is also considering expanding their Meals on Wheels program and the mixer will help them move closer to doing that,.

The group that has been working to develop a community recreation and cultural centre at the former Hinchinbrooke School in Parham, received a grant from the foundation last year to help them fund a feasibility study for the project. This year they are receiving a grant of $2,597 to recruit new partners to develop a multi-stage business plan for the project.

Finally, Rural Frontenac Community Services is receiving $8825 for the popular “Let’s Get Drumming” youth program. The project is active in North, Central and South Frontenac, “addressing the need for free, fun musical activities that encourages rural youth to learn an instrument, be active and connect with a group in their own community in a fun environment that promotes inclusion,” according to the release.

The total dollar value of the 5 grants, $28,184, represents about 20% of the $150,000 that was handed out by the CFGK this week.

Details on the Foundation’s Community Grants program and the projects they have funded can be found on their website at www.cfka.org.

Battersea resident, Tania Edgar, is inviting families to take a stroll through a candle-lit field and forest on her property in Battersea on the evenings of December 8, 9 and 10. She will be holding a Woodland Luminaries Walk as a way to share the peace of the holiday season and raise funds for Southern Frontenac Community Services Corp (SFCSC), which provides health and community services for seniors and low-income families.

“I’ve wanted to do this for a few years now,” says Tania, “and I just needed a reason to do it.” Tania has been working as a Personal Support Worker in the Adult Day Program at SFCSC. “I can see how much these seniors and their families value the support they get at SFCSC, and I’m happy to be a part of it.”

The Woodland Luminaries Walk will run from 6:30pm to 9:00pm on December 8th, 9th and 10th. The walk is located at 2248 Battersea Water Street in Battersea. Admittance is by donation of any amount, which will be donated to SFCSC to support the Adult Day and other programs. Guests will stroll through a pleasant field and forest setting lit by candles. Hot chocolate and candy treats will be on hand. “If we’re lucky, there will be a nice skiff of snow on the ground to add to the setting.”

For information, please call Tania Edgar at 613-888-3225

- END -

For more information, contact:

Tania Edgar, 613-888-3225, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Andy Mills, Fund Development and Administration Manager, SFCSC, 613-376-6477, ext 205, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

You know Christmas is coming when you can smell a variety of flavours coming out of the Grace Centre in Sydenham on a Saturday afternoon in late November.

And this year is no exception as Leslie Reade and Josey Steel once again organized Vision Soup, a community fundraiser which is a joint project for the Christmas Food Basket, Loughborough Emergency Relief Fun and Southern Frontenac Community Services.

This year was the 12th annual and very little has changed from the first one Reade and Steel organized.

For $20, you choose a handmade bowl donated by local potters and fill it with a variety of soups. When you’ve had your fill, you get to keep the bowl.

“Well, the one thing that’s changed a little is that I think we get a little more support every year,” said Reade. “I think this is the most variety of soups we’ve had, 21, everything from spicy Thai soup to chicken Noodle (and in between there were things like Italian wedding and coconut curry lentil).”

The weather wasn’t especially great but there was a lineup into the parking lot when the doors opened and every seat was filled within minutes.

“People are such good sports,” Reade said. “No, it’s not a nice day but we appreciate everyone coming out, including the volunteers, who are mostly friends and family.”

Reade said this is a strong community but there are some who need a little help at Christmas time.

“That’s why we started this in the first place,” she said. “And we’re very thankful for the community’s support.”

David Townsend is passionate about keeping seniors in their homes as long as possible.

Sitting in a coffee shop in Kingston a few hours before the first day of summer in 2017, the Executive Director of Southern Frontenac Community Services talks earnestly about helping seniors and low income families in South Frontenac Township.

Tall with wavy dark hair, David’s laughter is loud and infectious. He smiles when asked about his work for the last 7 ½ years spearheading an agency that provides programs and services for the community’s most vulnerable residents.

As he talks, it’s clear he’s happy with his progress. But as with most community activists, there’s room for improvement.

“I love my work. I’ve got all sorts of ideas. I’ve got a great team,” confirms the friendly father and grandfather.

“We helped 902 seniors last year,” he says thoughtfully over a cup of tea. “The senior population in South Frontenac is 2,870. I have no idea if that (our number of clients) is good or not.”

According to Townsend, the agency serves an average 45 meals every Tuesday through its Meals-on-Wheels program. This means 45 people receive hot and ready meals at their doorsteps every week.

“I don’t care where you live in South Frontenac, you’re going to get a meal delivered hot,” the 61-year-old says proudly about the program that costs a mere $7 a meal.

The agency also offers services such as foot care, an adult day program, food bank and transportation to appointments. The list of services is long and varied. From palliative support to caregiver relief, a resident can get help inside, and outside, their home.

“Everything we do is geared towards helping seniors stay in their homes,” he says with conviction.

Looking around the bustling coffee shop, David sighs as he talks about his challenges.

“How do we increase our services, our profile to seniors in Storrington District,” he asks aloud. “This support for the seniors who live out that way is critical. Unfortunately, we’re not getting the engagement we would like.”

Home of many businesses and homes, Storrington District is the largest tax base in South Frontenac Township. The agency would like to see more services accessed by residents in Inverary, Sunbury and Battersea.

“It’s not hard to see who is struggling in that area,” says David kindly. “We need to find a way to help people in Storrington stay in Storrington. We want Storrington to help Storrington keep its seniors at home.”

David pauses when asked about the agency’s success rate. He admits it’s hard to measure.

“We lost one of our clients today,” says David in an attempt to answer the question. “He would have been in a long-term care home three years ago if he wasn’t in our adult day program. It’s one of our services that is good for the senior and good for the caregiver. You don’t even have to drop them off at the Grace Centre in Sydenham. We have volunteers who will pick them up.”

A resident of Storrington his entire life, Ron Sleeth is a Storrington District Councillor with South Frontenac Township.

“I believe we need a town hall type of meeting to make Storrington residents aware of these services,” says the politician from his dairy farm in Battersea. “The agency is too isolated in Sydenham. Most seniors out here don’t know many of these services exist.”

To help address this issue, the agency is hiring summer ambassadors.

“We are hiring two community ambassadors for a six-week term this summer,” confirms the executive director. “The objective is to raise awareness of Southern Frontenac Community Services and its programs and services, but more importantly - to link seniors to health support programs to keep them in their own homes longer and later in life.”

Looking ahead, David says Southern Frontenac Community Services wants to centralize the area’s social services.

“We want to become more of a community hub,” he say with enthusiasm. “We want to create a one-stop rural shopping experience.”

Working to create a sensory garden and accessible walking path at their headquarters in Sydenham, David says the agency is poised for growth.

“There’s a lot of things on the go,” he says with his trademark smile. “Now we want to grow in Storrington District.”

To learn more about the programs and services offered by Southern Frontenac Community Services, call 613-376-6477 or visit www.sfcsc.ca

Southern Frontenac Community Services is running its 2017 fundraising campaign in the month of June, with the theme of being “Up to the Challenge.”

Statistics Canada recently made headlines by saying that for the first time in Canadian history, Canada has more seniors (65+) than kids (0-14), and in fifteen years, seniors are expected to make up 25% of the population. That statistic is reflected in

Frontenac County, with an even higher proportion of seniors. With this new reality, come many challenges around sustainable health care, living at home, transportation, food security, and more.  

Says Executive Director David Townsend: “This trend is reflected in the day-to-day work that we do: Our Adult Day Program is at its maximum capacity and we have a waiting list for the first time ever. More seniors are using our weekly Hot Meals on Wheels service and there is increasing demand to add a second day. An increasing number of single seniors are accessing our Food Bank and housing supports, as occupancy costs outpace income.”

Although many of SFCSC’s programs and services receive core government funding, and support from the United Way KFL&A, fundraising is still needed to keep programs affordable.

“One of our primary goals to allow seniors to love at home as long as possible, so we must keep program fees at a level that doesn’t financially burden seniors, and enhances their quality of life,” says Townsend.

For the month of June, SFCSC is making an appeal for donations to support these programs and services. In particular, SFCSC is encouraging online donations through the Great Canadian Giving Challenge campaign, where every dollar donated online during the month of June gives them the chance to win a $10,000 donation through Canadahelps.ca.

To donate, go to www.sfcsc.ca/donate or contact Andy at 613-376-6477, ext. 205.

This last February after seven hours of continuous skiing, Dave Linton completed a 51 km x-country ski race, as he has been doing every winter for 17 years. Thanks to generous sponsors, his efforts netted over a thousand dollars this year for the SFCSC (Southern Frontenac Community Services) Food Bank’s Healthy Snacks for School program.

“You’re under more pressure when there’s money on the line, and you push yourself harder,” says Dave; “My 76 year old body is now complaining, and it suggests that there might be a less strenuous means of fund raising.”

So this year to celebrate Canada’s 150th birthday, Dave is launching a different one-man fund raising project which he hopes will bring pleasure to all who participate.

It involves sharing another of his passions; music. Piano music, to be specific. Dave is a familiar musician at community events in and around Sydenham, and is one of the volunteers who plays piano for the Adult Day Program at SFCS’s Grace Centre.

Here’s how his new project would work: in return for a donation (the amount is up to you) to SFCS, either the Food Bank or the Adult Day Program, Dave will bring his full size keyboard to your home or other venue (within a 35 km maximum distance from Sydenham) to play and sing. He’d be happy to share memories in song and story of the one-room school he went to, or the 100 acre rock farm where he grew up. Or he’ll play soft background music for dinners, club gatherings or family celebrations such as milestone birthdays or anniversaries. The choice is yours, and your donation will be tax deductible, as long as it’s over $20.

To participate in this 150th birthday celebration fund raiser, call 613-376- 6883, and ask for Dave or leave a message.

“Our community is so fortunate to have SFCSC and the programs they offer,” Dave says, “I’ve provided music for their wonderful day program for seniors and I want to do what I can to support it even further. Caring staff and volunteers have created a very special place where seniors can spend an enjoyable day. This helps to delay or deter the need for seniors to enter a long term care facility by providing a few hours respite for caregivers (usually a son, daughter or spouse). A combination of government funding cutbacks and increasing need for seniors’ services means community fundraising is necessary to fill the gap, so programs such as this can continue.”