Seniors for Seniors debuts new patio, vegetable garden

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 09/06/2022 (1316 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A local non-profit will be helping Brandon seniors sit, relax and enjoy the summer with the grand opening of its new patio and vegetable garden.

Brandon Senior for Seniors marked the official grand opening of the centre’s latest amenities Wednesday, June 1 in tandem with a barbecue saluting the non-profit’s 40th anniversary year and its more than 75 volunteers.

The patio has been three years in the making but faced delays due to COVID-19, said executive director Rob Lavin. Seniors for Seniors began reopening programs in August 2021, he said. The only thing missing for the patio was securing the tables and chairs for sit people to sit down and relax in.

It has been an interesting year for the organization, said Senior for Seniors board chairman Don Kostesky, because the non-profit is continuing to recover from the impacts of COVID-19. The non-profit is building momentum behind the scenes, he said, adding he appreciates how volunteers and the community have rallied behind the organization to help keep it functioning.

“These not-for-profits certainly couldn’t survive without the sweat [of volunteers],” Lavin said.

Seniors for Seniors remains committed to getting the message out to seniors in Brandon inviting them to join and become part of the community, Kostesky said.

“A lot of seniors are homebound and don’t get out and this is a good place to get together and meet,” Kostesky said.

Community barbecues are set to take place once a week at the new patio, Lavin said, along with special activities including a potential open house. The goal is to continue building social networks and opportunities for community seniors.

Westoba Credit Union President and CEO Jim Rediger was on hand to help cut the ribbon at the patio opening.

The project received $10,000 in funding from Westoba in 2018. The funds were made possible through the Westoba Inspire Program which allows different groups to apply for funding that benefits the community.

He expects to see several different events take place on the patio that engages the community and encourage them to connect. He described Seniors for Seniors as a critical organization for bringing together older adults.

“It’s fantastic — It’s about building community connections,” Rediger said. “It’s great to see a large group of people out here able to use the patio, the gardening area, the barbecue area. It allows for socialization, which I think a lot of people are looking for right now, particularly coming out of COVID.”

The patio will soon be filled with flora, said long-time volunteer Bev Morris, who will be helping plant flower beds around the front of the building.

Volunteers prepared the vegetable garden last week in anticipation of the grand opening, she said, all that is needed now is to get seeds in the ground. The garden was built using high boxes to support those doing the planting and gardening so users can stand instead of bending over while gardening. A horseshoe shape for the structure was chosen to maximize the garden space available.

Morris has been visiting the Seniors for Seniors facility since about 2005, first connecting with the centre through her garden club. She now participates in the line dancing and volunteers at the facility regularly, including with the income tax program, gardening program and Out to Lunch.

She estimates she is at the community hub at least two to three days a week and has built a strong social network.

“I’m retired and a senior so I have time,” Morris said with a laugh. “It’s fun to go out and interact with other people.”

Kostesky moved to Brandon in 2019 and joined Seniors for Seniors as a way to meet new people. He became involved with the non-profit board and helped with the income tax program.

“It’s really neat, so many people have gone before us and just made this possible. There’s been some really dynamic people that have been on the board and really pushed for things,” Morris said.

Seniors for Seniors helps facilitate exciting activities such as bus trips and serving as community builders, he added.

Kostesky praised the work of Don and Glenora Slimmon who were instrumental in getting the centre going in the 1980s. Their forethought and calculated planning helped create an institution that has been able to stand for four decades and grow its place in the community.

“If we’re here after 40 years that’s a pretty big commitment,” Lavin said.

Kostesky praised the business of Brandon for their commitment to keeping funding the centre and are instrumental.

The grand opening marks the start of a busy summer at the centre, he added.

The facility is set to receive a new paint job when the weather allows, Lavin said, and the federal New Horizons Seniors Program has provided up to $25,000 to upgrade a selection of facilities at the non-profit. As part of the program Seniors for Seniors will be continuing to grow the Technology Access Program for Seniors (TAPS).

About a month ago Seniors for Seniors received approval from the Government of Manitoba through Municipal Relations will to replace equipment in the Don Glen Salon and the front office area of the building. The updates will allow Seniors for Seniors to use any of the rooms in the building for training or workshops.

“We have quite a few things on the go for the six to eight months that we are still working through,” Lavin said.

Kostesky noted that the 40th-anniversary celebrations will be ongoing for the rest of the year. The non-profit held a high tea in April and is planning another celebration in the fall. A yard sale and trade show are planned for August.

The official 40th-anniversary celebrations will take place in November, marking the day Seniors for Seniors was officially incorporated.

“As seniors we need to do something to keep us active, to keep our minds challenged, and so there’s all kinds of programs here that do that,” Morris said. “It’s wonderful to have a facility like this in the community.”

» ckemp@brandonsun.com

» Twitter: @The_ChelseaKemp