VON Annapolis Valley

We have several virtual sessions in this month's #Caregiver Education Series, including one this Thursday! To learn more about our caregiver programs or sign up, visit: https://www.von.ca/en/news-and-events

Thank you to the TELUS Friendly Future Foundation for generously donating $10,000 to support VON’s meal programs in Nova Scotia, which provide nutritious and balanced meal options to seniors and vulnerable people in our community. We are grateful for your contributions to our meal programs, and for helping to create healthier and stronger communities. #FriendlyFuture

Frozen Favourites meals are $5 each in January! Meals are nutritionally balanced with high quality ingredients and you can create your own menu from a variety of regular and speciality meals, such as vegetarian, pureed and minced selections. To learn more and order meals for you or a loved one, call 902-678-3415 ext. 2019.

Happy New Year! From our VON family to you and yours, we wish you a healthy and joyful 2021.

A career in home care gives you the chance to use all your clinical skills while helping people remain healthy and safe in their own homes and communities. To learn more or see our open positions for #LicensedPracticalNurses, visit: http://von.ca/careers #LPN #NS

This month, our Frozen Favourites meal program clients can also receive a festive snack pack with their meal order! Items like shortbread cookies or fruit cake, hot chocolate, sugar-free tea and clementines have been provided by Sobeys as part of their gift of pre-paid snacks for clients of our Frozen Favourites program. Sobeys’ support has helped VON provide additional food at no charge to clients, bringing added-value and variety to those who need extra support with mealtim...e. If you’d like to order meals and a snack pack for yourself or a loved one, contact us at 902-678-3415. Thank you Sobeys for your continued support and for bringing extra festive cheer to our clients this holiday season! Lastly, have you heard? We are now offering gift certificates for our Frozen Favourites program! If you know someone who needs meal support this winter, inquire with our staff today.

Give the gift of a nutritious meal this holiday season! Gift certificates for our Frozen Favourites meals are the perfect gift for the seniors in your life who may require extra support with mealtime. Meal options can be selected upon redeeming the gift certificate and orders may be delivered contact-free! To learn more or to purchase, phone us today at 902-678-3415.

"VON has been listening to our front-line employees who experience the realities of infection prevention and control and care delivery in the home and community setting, every day. It was my privilege to invite VON front-line nurse, Cheryl, to contribute to this article. Her perspective is an important reminder of how things have changed for us, and what to keep in mind for the future." Read the full article from our CEO, Jo-Anne Poirier, and Cheryl on LinkedIn: http://ow.ly/4POj50Ck4Y8

VON Annapolis Valley is hiring RNs and LPNs! VON Nurses provide acute nursing care to children, youth, adults, and seniors who require medical care in their homes. If you’re passionate about making a positive impact on the lives of people in your community, apply to join our team today: https://jobs.jobvite.com/von/search

Give the gift of a nutritious meal this holiday season! Gift certificates for our Frozen Favourites program are now available across Nova Scotia. These home-style meals are made with high-quality ingredients and with guidance from a Registered Dietician and recommendations from Canada’s Food Guide. Clients can select their meals upon redeeming the gift card. To purchase or to learn more, contact your local VON office today!

VON in Nova Scotia is thrilled to receive a donation of $50,000 from Nova Scotia Credit Unions. The gift to VON was organized and led by East Coast Credit Union and made on behalf of 13 credit unions in Nova Scotia, and Atlantic Credit Unions, a credit union partner organization, which supported the initiative by matching credit union donations up to $15,000, for a total donation of $50,000 to local VON sites across the province. VON in Annapolis Valley directly received a p...ortion of the $50,000 donation from East Coast Credit Union, Valley Credit Union, New Ross Credit Union Ltd. and Atlantic Credit Unions as part of this province-wide gift. This donation will support the continued delivery of VON’s meals and transportation programs for residents in Annapolis and Kings Counties. Wolfville resident, Pauline, has been a client of VON’s Companionship Transportation program for nine years since losing sight in her right eye from macular degeneration. I live alone and I’m unable to drive, so this program is a huge benefit to me. Now, I get to go grocery shopping twice a month, and the drivers help me with reading food labels and expiry dates in the store. I’ve come to rely on them. I think it’s a wonderful program, said Pauline. Thank you, East Coast Credit Union, Valley Credit Union, New Ross Credit Union Ltd. and Atlantic Credit Unions for your generous gift. We are so grateful for your support! Learn more here: https://www.von.ca//von-nova-scotia-receives-50000-donatio

While #Thanksgiving may feel different this year, we hope you are able to safely celebrate the goodness in your life and all that you are grateful for.

Mental wellness is at the core of who we are and is just as important as our physical wellness. On #worldmentalhealthday, we want to share what VON's CEO, Jo-Anne Poirier, had to say about looking after your mental health (originally presented at The Royal Mental Health Centre leaders for mental health breakfast): https://youtu.be/v1K7QVgzF70

We’re hiring Continuing Care Assistants (CCA) and Nurses! CCAs work in the community to provide services including personal care, light housekeeping, meal preparation, and respite to clients in their own homes. VON Nurses provide acute nursing care to children, youth, adults, and seniors who require medical care in their homes. Apply today: https://bit.ly/34BKVw6

VON Community Support Services in Nova Scotia has received a $100,000 donation in pre-paid snack packs from Sobeys the largest corporate gift received by VON in Nova Scotia which will further support clients of VON’s Frozen Favourites meal program. We are incredibly grateful to Sobeys for this generous gift, and for recognizing the importance of building healthy communities together. Their support will help hundreds of families and people who continue to rely on VON during these uncertain times. I sincerely thank Sobeys and its leadership team for contributing so meaningfully to food security for seniors in Nova Scotia," said Jo-Anne Poirier, President and CEO, VON Canada. Our most heartfelt thanks to Sobeys for their generous gift. Read more here: https://www.von.ca//sobeys-donation-boosts-von-food-securi

On this #NationalSeniorsDay and International Day of Older Persons, VON wants to celebrate and honour seniors who are at the heart of our mission. You bring joy and wisdom into our lives every day and we are grateful for your contributions to our communities.

For many years, VON and Philips Lifeline have worked together to keep clients healthy and safe in their homes. With every VON client who subscribes to Philips Lifeline service, Philips Lifeline makes a donation to VON. Thank you, Philips Lifeline for your continued support and partnership! Learn more about Philips Lifeline services at www.lifeline.ca or by phone at 1-877-838-3208.

"VON's Frozen Favourites give me peace of mind. They save me time and stress because I don't have to think about what to cook for my parents, I just choose a meal and heat it up." - VON client. If you or a loved one is looking for a convenient and nutritious meal option, VON is able to offer frozen meals for $5 and contact-free delivery in September. To learn more or to place an order, visit von.ca/meals.

We are still bursting with gratitude and JOY as we reflect on Joy Saunders' 102nd walk for VON last Saturday! In case you missed it, you can re-watch her walk here: https://bit.ly/3hFVJ0E Joy has raised over $74,000 for VON in Nova Scotia to-date, and while her walks are complete, she continues to raise funds and you can donate in her name at www.von.ca/donate-joy. Joy’s family, neighbours, four-legged friends and a few VON staff cheered for Joy along her 800-metre route and as she crossed the finish line. Joy, your courageous and giving spirit has inspired so many. We thank you again for supporting your community and dedicating your campaign to our fallen colleagues, Kristen Beaton and Heather O’Brien. Thank you.

Congratulations to Sharon Goodwin, VON's Sr. VP Home & Community Care, who accepted the 2020 Nursing Leadership Award from the Canadian College of Health Leaders at their awards ceremony last night. We are so grateful to have leaders like Sharon guiding our efforts at VON. Congratulations, Sharon!

Congratulations, Joy, on completing your 102nd walk! You are a true inspiration and have shown remarkable strength and resilience throughout your walking journey. Our VON Family is incredibly honoured and grateful to have had your support. You have a special place in all of our hearts and we will continue to cheer for you and support you as you near your 102nd year! Thank you, Joy. Our hats are off to you!

Today is a very special day as Joy Saunders will be completing her 102nd walk at 11:00 a.m.! You can cheer her on virtually and watch her walk on the livestream shared here: http://ow.ly/1PeY50BoWIi and make a donation to VON in her name here: www.von.ca/donate-joy. Go Joy, go!!

Joy Saunders will be completing her 102nd walk for VON this Saturday, September 12, and you can cheer her on virtually! Tune in to the livestream of Joy’s final walk through the Walking for Joy Facebook page (shared below) at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday. Cheer her on by posting a message in the group using the hashtag #WalkingforJoy and help us 'spread the Joy' far and wide by sharing on your own channels, too! You can also support Joy by making a donation to VON in her name here: www.von.ca/donate-joy. Go, Joy, go!!