Winter 2009 Newsletter

In this issue:

  • From the Executive Director
  • Home & Property Support Services News
  • Volunteer News
  • Volunteer Meals on Wheels Drivers
  • Recipe: Spinach Dip
  • Dates to Remember


  • From the Executive Director
    C. Lynn Chapman

    It's hard to believe that the holiday season is over and we have turned the corner into a new year. On behalf of the Board of Directors and Staff of Humber Community Seniors' Services, I would like to wish everyone a Happy New Year, filled with happiness and prosperity; despite the current economic times. Please take the time to enjoy each day – look outside in the morning and watch the beautiful sunrise, look out your window and watch the soft fluffy snowflakes dancing down from the sky. And remember, even when it's dull outside, there is always a silver lining in every cloud. So far, this winter has proved to be the coldest on record for a number of years and we have already met our maximum snowfall levels of last year.

    As 2009 is now well underway, we have lots of activities lined up for the balance of the year; ranging from our Escorted Monthly Outings that will resume in March, to Volunteer Week in April, participating at the Weston Farmers' Market Opening in June, and the list goes on. Look for upcoming events in future issues of our newsletter in the "Dates to Remember" section in this month's newsletter.

    I would like to take this opportunity to introduce you to Raymond Kane. Raymond started in September on a temporary part-time basis assisting with finishing up the season for our seasonal lawn maintenance program; a season that presented some challenges in 2008. Thank you to the clients of our Home & Property Support Services program for your patience during last season. On December 1, 2008, Raymond accepted the position of Home & Property Support Services Coordinator. Please join me in welcoming Raymond to Humber Community Seniors'



    Home & Property Support Services News

    Our Caring staff is available to provide a security check, client assistance, intervention and referral for other agency services, while providing regular visits to cut the lawn, trim the hedges, do yard work and perform minor home repairs. If you have any minor indoor home repair jobs that need attention during the winter months, please give us a call. We can also make referrals for plumbing, electrical work, heating, and painting.



    Also, please be advised that the contract for seasonal lawn maintenance will be mailed out at the beginning of March. Clients will be accepted on a fi rst-comefi rst-served basis. We are currently in the process of recruiting a seasonal Home & Property Support Services Worker to assist Raymond from May to November, in addition to the recruitment of college or university students for the period May to August. For more information please contact Raymond Kane, our Home & Property Support Services Coordinator at 416 249 7946.



    Volunteer News
    written by Ida Greco

    Once again, our annual Christmas Basket campaign was a huge success. This was my first opportunity to organize the Christmas Basket Program, and to solicit and pick up the generous donations for the baskets. The amount of support and guidance that I received, from both staff and volunteers, was overwhelming and has helped me prepare for the years to come. I want to express a great BIG Thank You to the following volunteers who helped me with this year's Christmas Baskets:
    • Dorothy Brockbank
    • Laura Chimienti
    • Carole Davidson
    • Bertha Dawe
    • Ljubica Franjic
    • Nina Grixti
    • Rita Irving
    • Silva Kristo
    • Edwina Mould
    • Lucia Odio
    • Belle Smith
    • Ted Swain
    Also a Big Thank You goes to all the drivers who delivered the baskets.





    Volunteer Meals on Wheels Drivers
    written by Ida Greco

    We are, once again, making an urgent request for volunteer drivers for our Meals on Wheels program. Without the valuable contribution of our each and every volunteer's time, the delivery of meals on wheels would not be possible. I would like to take this opportunity to extend a BIG THANK YOU to our dedicated team of meals on wheels volunteers; especially during the last couple of months when they have had to endure extremely cold weather and lots of snow.

    Volunteer drivers are urgently needed to deliver meals. A minimum G license is required, as well as a clean driving record. Own car is a must for Meals on Wheels. We offer gas reimbursement. Please note that screening process for all new volunteers now includes a Police Records Check to ensure the safety of our clients.

    Click here to view the volunteer application form.





    Recipe: Spinach Dip

    1 cup sour cream
    1 cup mayonnaise
    1 package Knorr vegetable soup mix
    1 package frozen spinach
    2 loaves of round sourdough bread or pumpernickel bread (pumpernickel is dark rye bread) or 1 of each

    Thaw the frozen spinach fully and drain well. Wring it out a bit with your hands to make sure it is well drained. Chop the spinach. In a bowl, mix it with the other ingredients, except the bread, and refrigerate it to let the flavours meld together. Hollow out one of the loaves of bread with a knife, cutting the bread you remove into 2 inch chunks for dipping. Cut the second loaf of bread into cubes for dipping. Place the hollowed out loaf of bread on a serving plate and fill the hollow with the chilled dip. Arrange the cubes of bread around the loaf and use them to dip.


    Dates to Remember

    FEBRUARY 2009

    February 2
    Groundhog Day

    February 14
    Valentine's Day

    February 16
    Family Day – Agency Closed


    MARCH 2009

    March 8
    Daylight Savings Time

    March 17
    St. Patrick's Day

    March 18
    Month Outing

    March 20
    First Day of Spring

    Note: For detailed information about our Escorted Monthly Outings, or to reserve your space, please call Laura
    at 416-249-7946.



    Click here for Services information.

    Click here for more information