Dear Family & Friends,
It is two months since COVID-19 arrived on the scene and changed life as we know it. Since that time, following the orders of our Provincial Health Officer, Ministry of Health, and Island Health, together we’ve worked hard to keep the coronavirus out of our Care Homes – and together we’ve succeeded.
We continue to take every careful measure to ensure the safety of the people who live and work in our Care Homes. In addition, while we believe it is very unlikely we will experience a COVID-19 outbreak, we are also aware that we might receive a positive test result for a resident or staff member.
If this happens – and we are doing everything we can to prevent it – we want to assure you that we are preparing to meet the challenges this would bring.
Our Care Teams are equipped with the education, training, and experience they need, and know exactly what to do to effectively manage infectious outbreaks of any kind. Should anything occur, we want you to know that we will communicate with you right away.
Remembering and Celebrating Canada’s Veterans
This past week we remembered and celebrated Canada’s role in the Second World War.
May 5 and May 8 marked the 75th Anniversaries of the liberation of the Netherlands and of V-E Day – Victory in Europe. In the final months of World War II, Canadian forces were given the important and deadly task of liberating the Netherlands from Nazi occupation. From September 1944 to April 1945, the First Canadian Army fought and triumphed over German forces, freeing them from occupation, and allowing food and other relief to reach millions of people.
As the ultimate sacrifice for freedoms we enjoy today, more than 7,600 Canadian soldiers, sailors, and airmen died fighting in the Netherlands.
Most of us can only imagine what the world was like, 75 years ago. We can only imagine the hardships faced then by people all over Europe, and we can only imagine the great joy that May 5 (liberation of the Netherlands) and May 7 (V-E Day) brought.
At Broadmead Care, we have the opportunity to help repay those sacrifices. We are very proud of our role as the primary provider of residential care and adult day programs for Canada’s WWII and Korean War veterans on Vancouver Island. In partnership with Veterans Affairs Canada, we provide 115 Priority Access beds for this cohort of veterans (those who served in WWII or the Korean War), and an adult day program at the Veterans Health Centre for veterans still living at home. It is our privilege and joy to offer a home to Canada’s veterans, and we love to hear the stories they sometimes tell – stories that renew in us a sense of gratitude and commitment to care for those who
It is a great honour to care for Canada’s veterans, and we look forward to continuing this role on Vancouver Island for many years to come.
Mother’s Day
It was a great delight to witness the conversations, flowers, and smiles that happened as a result of your connections with the lovely ladies who live in one of our Homes. We gifted every woman with a potted plant, and staff personally delivered each bouquet that was received. The joy they expressed upon receiving them warmed our hearts. Thanks for the ways you kept the day special for the women you love.
Keep Connected
Our Keep Connected program continues to receive messages, and we are grateful for the lovely messages, photos, and videos we are privileged to deliver. This week, we want to share with you a video greeting put together for the veterans who live with us, from Captain(N) Sam Sader, Base Commander CFB Esquimalt on behalf of all personnel at CFB Esquimalt.
Stay ‘N Play Event
Each year, Broadmead Care hosts its Annual Charity Golf Tournament to raise funds for the veterans and seniors who live at Veterans Memorial Lodge. This year, the Golf Committee made the difficult decision to postpone the event to 2021 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
But don’t worry – we still have lots of fun planned through our all-new Stay ‘N Play event, which includes our annual Diamond Raffle (tickets available now for a chance to win a 1.01 carat 18K ladies diamond ring valued at $4,000), a 50/50 Draw and Silent Auction (May 28 – June 4 – details will be provided), and a livestream celebration event – all online, all social, all fun, and all physically distant!
On June 4 at 4pm, we will live stream our Grand Celebration. Join us for that – and stay the entire time – to be eligible to win a $1,000 gift card from Victoria’s own Capital Iron! More details about how to access the event will be provided closer to the event.
For now – get those Diamond Raffle tickets – only 550 will be sold, and we’re close to selling out!
As always, thank you for your support. COVID-19 is not in any of our homes, and Vancouver Island cases are diminishing – and we continue to be vigilant. Enjoy the long weekend!
