Last week for Remembrance Day, we saluted the fallen soldier, by setting up a memorial table in our AVENS administrative wing and one table in the Manor. This was for the men and women who have fallen in the line of duty.
Remembering them honors their sacrifice and that of their families. If further underscores the importance of the commitment to duty to those of us today who enjoy our freedom and liberties.
This table is set up in a specific style and each item at table has a specific meaning.
The table is reserved to honour the brave and selfless military members who have perished on the battlefield, those who have not been returned to us after being take prisoner on foreign soil, and for those who went missing and have not found their way back home.
Table of the fallen soldier Remembrance Day 2021
The table is round - to show our everlasting concern for our fallen and our missing.
The table, set for one - is small, symbolizing the frailty of one prisoner alone against his or her suppressors.
The white tablecloth - symbolizing the purity of their intentions to respond to their country's call to arms.
The single red rose - reminds us of the life of each of our fallen, and the loved ones and friends who miss them each and every day.
The vase is tied with a red ribbon - a symbol of our continued determination to remember our fallen and find our missing.
The slices of lemon - on the plate is to remind us of the bitter fate of those who will never return.
A pinch of salt – symbolizes the tears endured by the friends and families of those who have fallen and of those who have not returned.
The inverted wine glass - they cannot toast with us at this time.
The empty chair - they are no longer with us.
The candle - is reminiscent of the light of hope which lives in our hearts to illuminate their way home from their captors, to the open arms of a grateful nation.
A donated medal display in honour of a fallen soldier
A Remembrance Day memorial wall set up in the Manor
We want to thank the Health and Wellness Team for creating these wonderful memorials at AVENS and for taking the time to honour our fallen.
Covid has been a very difficult opponent at AVENS on so many levels. The Tuk Shop was just another one of its early victims.
Not that long ago we relished in joy when we renovated our beloved Tuk Shop and transformed it into a beautiful tribute resembling the early days of the Hudson Bay Fur Trading Company.
Filled with personal care items, magazines, beauty aids, over-the-counter necessities, cosmetics and seasonal goodies, the Tuk Shop was the Aven Manor equivalent of our own mini-Amazon warehouse.
Run primarily by volunteers, where the proceeds were under the stewardship of the Resident Family Council, everything seemed poised for a success. Then Covid hit!
The AVEN TUK SHOP open every Wednesday
Our volunteer base disappeared, and our poor Health and Wellness Team was spread too thinly to consider the shifts the Tuk Shop required. Idle it sat.
Today however, we have a plan. A plan for the re-opening of the Tuk Shop with a Wednesday weekly shopping window. Run by our fully staffed Health and Wellness Team and volunteer members from our Management Team, the Tuk Shop will now open with all the glitter of its former glory.
Proceeds will still be going to the soon-to-be startup of the Resident Family Council and hopefully at some point, the re-emergence of our volunteers will enable longer shopping experiences for our Manor guests.
Thank you to everyone who have pitched in to make this work for our residents. We are very sure they appreciate it.
What better way of saying “we care for you” and “Merry Christmas!” than with the launch and support of our third annual Tree of Giving.
The concept of the Tree of Giving evolved from the fundraising initiatives of previous years silent and live auctions, craft sales and bake sales.
It was decided that a new and novel approach was needed to reach out to our community who desperately wanted to do positive gestures of good will for our seniors during the festive holiday.
Sadly, not every AVENS senior resident has family
The emergence of the Tree of Giving allowed residents, businesses, families, classrooms, or whomever, the means to collectively find and shop for “wish list” items from a secret Santa type of approach. The results from previous years have been truly remarkable, so much so, that AVENS has not needed to tweak with the program.
Tree of Giving launches November 18th, 2021 @ 1PM
For those who want to do something positive in lieu of providing a wish list of items for a resident, do have the option of a cash donation. All monies raised for this initiative go directly into health and wellness programs for the residents. Monies are used all year long for resident feasts, excursions, or personal items. All donations over $20 are provided with a taxable receipt.
Last week, we celebrated the graduation of a number of our current and former AVENS employees who undertook a 9 month journey of leadership learning.
The Certificate in Northern Recreation Leadership, through Recreation North, is a multi-level program that is lead by Northerners to support the health and wellbeing of people and communities across the Territories
By focusing on the foundations of leadership , through one’s own strengths, the course covers community building basics, how to handle recreation finances, risk management, planning for success, the creation of positive program experiences and the value of northern culture.
AVENS is very proud for the many members of our Health and Wellness Team for undertaking this program and for seeing it through to graduation. Your efforts and dedication are inspiring knowing that this will directly result in improved wellness and recreation programing for our residents.
(L to R) Northern Recreation Leadership Certificate graduates; Amelie Duval, Holly Mann, Carol Norwegian and Juanita Walsh
We know that our Supervisor of Health and Wellness, Carol Norwegian, will be continuing her Certification in Northern Recreation Management. We know with this professional advanced learning certifcation, AVENS will be successful in managing our organization’s impact on having a greater influence on the quality of life for our residents.
To all our recent graduates in leadership, congratulations on your personal journeys in life-long learning.
