Entries by Amanda Townsend

Steve – Maitland Trail Association

February 26, 2025 in /by

Steve's day at the Maitland Trail Association

The Maitland Trail Association maintains several trails in and around Goderich and the Maitland river. Many people use these trails to get exercise, fresh air and for mental health.

Steve volunteered on Saturday February 15th which was the Annual Candle Light walk in the Maitland Wood on the edge of Goderich, as part of the family day weekend events.

The Candle lit walk through the Maitland Woods went well despite the weather!
On the Friday leading up, Steve and others helped clear snow from the trails using snow scoops, shovels and picks. They did the best they could with 1.3 kms of trail cleaned up and ready for the walk. Steve had also helped clean up around the entrance of the trail as well as picking up all the things that were needed the day of the walk. 

On Saturday Steve helped set up the refreshments tent where Hot apple cider and hot chocolate and cookies were served, free of charge, all donated.
He set up the entrance area where the tent was as well as camp fires for people to warm up around.  

At 5pm the candles were placed around the 1.3kms trail and lit. During the walk, over 600 people walked the trail and the volunteers kept the candles lit and the refreshments coming for all the walkers. At 9pm Steve helped with the clean up after the event was completed and everything was delivered back around town to it’s storage places by 10:30. 

 

“It was a great day”

Charles – Rotary Hospice

January 29, 2025 in /by

Charles day at Rotary Hospice

The Rotary Hospice Stratford Perth is where palliative individuals, as well as their loved ones, are supported through their end-of-life journeys.

The Rotary Hospice provides a peaceful, comfortable home with 24-hour specialized palliative care for those at end-of-life as well as support for those in their circle. It provides a needed alternative to institutional care facilities and home care – an essential option that did not previously exist in Huron Perth and Area until its official opening on June 22, 2019

Shortly after joining Tradition, Charles was invited to receive a tour of the Rotary Hospice as Tradition had made a significant contribution to it.  He was impressed on the tour with the facility set up and operational goals they had to support patients and their families too.  With Charles father recently passing through his final journey in palliative care, He thought this would be a positive way to honor him and support patients and families through this difficult journey.

He volunteered the day The Rotary Hospice held their Lights of Love Ceremony at the end of November.  The Lights of Love Ceremony is for family and friends in the community to gather, remember the loved one they lost, especially as the holiday’s approach, which can be an extra difficult time.

Charles spent his day salting and shoveling snow off of walkways, out of the pavilion where the ceremony took place.  He set up all of the chairs, tables and lights for the different food and drink stations for the Lights of Love ceremony.  He also worked with staff to build thank you goodie bags to be given to their volunteers over the upcoming holidays.

 

“It was a beautiful ceremony and evening for all who attended.”

 

More pictures and all messages can be found at https://www.rotaryhospice.ca/lights-of-love