August, 2024 at SVSS

Saanich Volunteer Services Society will remain open for regular business throughout August. Clients may access regular services such as appointment drives, meal delivery and hamper delivery. Some of our programs such as AMD Group as well as Tea and Talk will be on holiday along with our activity hosts. Our full programming options will return in September, watch for our next newsletter coming out at the end of August.

Sneak Peak

Tea and Talk Wednesdays will begin again on September 11, 2024, at McRae House.

Age-Related Macular Degeneration/Low Vision Group will resume on September 18, 2024, at Yakimovich Centre

Please enjoy some event pictures from the past month below. We look forward to seeing everyone again at these and other events, and we hope you have a relaxing yet engaging summer!

Party for Adult Macular Degeneration Group attendees

Cordova Bay Days Volunteer run table - Thank you, volunteers!

Tea and Talk outside in July with volunteers and attendees. Stories shared of growing up in the past when toilet paper was a luxury and pranks involved trucks and outhouses... gulp.

Reminder: Escape the Heat this Summer!

Saanich Volunteer Services operates as an unofficial cooling centre when weather heats up. If you or your animals (in proper animal accommodation) need somewhere to be during the day while this hot weather passes please just pop in. We have helped a person with one application for an air conditioning unit under BC Hydro's program to supply a free air conditioner to people who qualify. The timing won't work for this heat wave, but it may help in a future heat wave. There is no age restriction and you can own your own home or rent. If you rent, your landlord must sign the permission provided on the BC Hydro website. All information is provided here.

Saanich Volunteer Services Society hopes that we can all pull together this summer to ensure everyone is comfortable. Remember to have ice in your freezer, for instance, to pop on the back of someone's neck if they become overheated. Remember that your animals are smaller and may require more immediate assistance if they get too hot and come cool off here if you need to.

We want everyone to enjoy the warmth of summer without any of the risk! If you have questions about the BC Hydro program please give our office a call and we can help.

Tea and Talk at McRae House, a New Tradition at Saanich Volunteer Services Society

The World Health Organization in 2023 reported here that social isolation and loneliness is as comparably important to health outcomes as other issues like obesity and smoking. At SVSS we hope to make a healthy impact on our Saanich residents by creating programming that people can enjoy with each other. Sparking friendships is our hope!

Carol Turnbull, Sharon Parker and Caroline Herbert have all collaborated to build a cooperative venture between our long term volunteers, our new volunteers and our clients in order to bring some fun social interactions to the landscape at McCrae House, located at 1445 Ocean View Road.

The inaugural Tea and Talk at McRae House was on April 10, 2024. At that time a group of volunteers and clients gathered to share ideas about how this Tea Party could be enjoyed into the future. As each progressive Tea and Talk occurs, the main indicator of how enjoyable it has been is the noise level. The Saanich Volunteer Services Society receptionists on Wednesday afternoons during these tea parties deserve a prize for working through the hilarity without dropping the phones and joining in.

Volunteers, clients, and staff have all enjoyed lively conversation and delectable treats. As we move into late spring and summer we hope Tea and Talk at McRae House becomes a routine. It happens twice a month. Come join in on the second and fourth Wednesdays each month between 2pm and 3:30 pm. We welcome all and, if it's too crowded, we can spill into our yard! See you next time: Wednesday, June 26, 2024.

Louise with Delores, sporting her Talk and Tea 'Getup'.

Volunteers and clients getting to know one another over tea, coffee and biscuits

Caroline's beautiful flower bouquet to brighten anyone's day

Volunteers: Tracy, Sunny, Lyane and Dori

Talk and Tea participants and volunteers: Dolores, Joan, Anita, Betty, Shirley and Barb