VON Colchester East Hants
14 Court St #100 B2N 3H7 Truro, NS, Canada

We have such a thoughtful community Thanks to the generosity of individual donors and community supporters, 58 VON clients in Colchester East Hants will receive some extra holiday cheer and gifts this Christmas. These clients will either be alone over the holidays or wouldn’t otherwise have much under their tree. Our Santa for Seniors program is led by our frontline staff and supported by wonderful community members and volunteers who shop for items on our clients’ wish lists, everything from PJs to microwaves. VON staff then volunteer to safely deliver the gifts to clients in their areas. A huge thank you to everyone who contributes to this program and brings holiday magic to our deserving clients.

With VON you'll help people stay at home at a time when it matters most. Our team is supported by a clinical response team ensuring everyone has the equipment + training to preserve safety. To see our open #RegisteredNurses positions, visit: www.von.ca/careers #RN #NS #Nursing #Careers

Do you have experience or an interest in health care and want to become a Continuing Care Assistant? Check out the funding options below! The deadline for bursary applications for private career colleges is approaching on December 31. VON is currently hiring CCAs across Nova Scotia to provide in-home services for clients such as personal care, light housekeeping, meal preparation and respite. Become certified as a CCA and make a positive difference in our communities as a valued member of our VON team!

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 meal 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 me...altime. If you’d like to order meals and a snack pack for yourself or a loved one, contact Donna at 902-893-3803. 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 902-893-3803.

"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’s Frozen Favourites are made in Canada with guidance from a Registered Dietician and recommendations from Canada’s Food Guide. Meals are nutritionally balanced with high quality ingredients to meet seniors’ dietary needs. Clients are able to select their own menu from a variety of regular and speciality meals, such as vegetarian, pureed and minced selections.

VON Volunteers like Carlton (pictured below) have continued to support our meal programs during the pandemic by delivering subsidized meals to clients, contact-free. Our volunteers play an integral role in VON’s commitment to food security across Nova Scotia by bringing nutritious meals to those who need support. We appreciate all that you do to care for clients in our communities!

Thanks to our generous supporters, VON is able to subsidize our frozen meals for $5 across Nova Scotia. We are grateful to the United Way for supporting VON’s frozen meal program! Your support, through the New Horizons for Seniors Program, has made it possible for our clients to order nutritionally balanced and subsidized meals. Thank you!

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. Victory Credit Union in Windsor contributed to... the donation to support community programs of VON CEH. This generous gift will support the continued delivery of VON’s meals and transportation programs for residents in Nova Scotia. The support of donors, like the Nova Scotia Credit Unions, enables VON to serve hundreds of Nova Scotians each year through its community support programs, which empower people to live life to the fullest in their community. Thank you, East Coast Credit Union, Atlantic Credit Unions, and the many credit unions across the province that contributed to this incredibly generous gift. We are very 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 Registered 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/2XuPdTH

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!