TREENA MIELKE/Rimbey Review
A Rimbey service club’s long-term commitment to show generosity and kindness toward seniors in the community has not gone unnoticed and the organization is being singled out for a provincial award.
The Rimbey Lions Club has been nominated for this year’s Minister’s Seniors Service Awards. Now in its 14th year, this annual awards program recognizes Albertans who volunteer their time to make a difference in the lives of seniors.
Laine Dahms, co-ordinator of Volunteer Resources for Rimbey Hospital and Care Centre, nominated the Lions Club for the award of which she believes they are most deserving.
“On Christmas morning the Lions Club members, along with their families, join Santa (also a Lions Club member) at the Rimbey Continuing Care Centre to sing carols and pass out the gifts to the 84 residents,” she said.
“The Lions Club has been performing this unique service since 1949. What wonderful dedication to come in on Christmas morning for the last 61 years.”
Dahms noted that the Lions Club has also stepped forward to purchase and wrap gifts for any of the residents who may not have a family member or friend able to supply a gift for Christmas morning.
“This ensure that no one is without a gift,” she said.
The Lions Club, with family members in tow, spend about 40 minutes in the long-term care centre and then Santa travels to acute care units where he takes the time to greet each patient and shake their hand.
“By volunteering on this special day, the Lions Club and their families have had a huge impact in the lives of the residents, the patients and the staff, helping us to remember this is a special time of year, a time of giving, a time of sharing,’ she said. “We are truly blessed to have these people in our community, supporting our seniors.”
Rimbey Lions president Michelle Oberhammer said the club is pleased to be nominated. “It is an honor.”
The Rimbey Lions work hard to live up to its motto “We Serve,” she added.
“We are one of the busiest clubs in Alberta and a role model for other clubs who come visit us. We have a good active membership.”
More than 60 nominations have been received for awards that honor dedication to Alberta’s seniors.
Nominees are evaluated on the impact they have on seniors and the community, the need for the service they provide and the measure of diversity, quality and originality in their service.
Minister Mary Anne Jablonski will recognize award recipients recommended by a review committee chaired by Dave Quest, chairman of the Seniors Advisory Council for Alberta and MLA for Strathcona.
The awards ceremony will occur June 8 in Edmonton during Seniors’ Week.
More information about the awards is available on the Alberta Seniors and Community Supports website at www.seniors.alberta.ca/awards, - clicking on the Minister’s Seniors’ Service Awards link.
The website also includes information on Seniors’ Week events.