Dear Family and Friends,
We are writing today with some updates for you about Veterans’ Week and Remembrance Day, as well as our virtual event, Kms4Care, and an upcoming online silent auction of Christmas decorations and ornaments!
Veterans’ Week and Remembrance Day
Broadmead Care is proud to be the primary long term care provider for veterans on Vancouver Island, and we are one of the larger care homes serving veterans in Canada. It is a privilege to be able to give back to those who served Canada and her people with courage and self-sacrifice.
With Remembrance Day and Veterans’ Week 2020 just around the corner, plans are well underway to recognize these important events, which mark the 75th anniversary of the end of the Second World War. Veterans’ Week is a time for us to reflect, pay tribute to, and honour the sacrifices, achievements, and tremendous contributions of Canada’s veterans in the First World War, the Second World War, the Korean War, and Canadian Forces veterans in peace missions and operations. Veterans’ Week provides a time for all Canadians to learn about and to remember the sacrifices and achievements of all of Canada’s veterans.
This pandemic has required us to be creative about many of our activities this year, and Veterans’ Week and Remembrance Day are no exception. Using responses from the family survey about these important events, staff at Veterans Memorial Lodge have arranged special plans to mark these occasions.
Portraits of Veterans – We wanted to involve families in Veterans’ Week and Remembrance Day, as such we have taken high quality portraits of each veteran, which will be posted in each veteran’s room, and a gallery will be hung at Veterans Memorial Lodge. A copy of each picture will be sent to the veteran’s family during the week of November 5 – 11.
Sharing Veterans’ Stories – we would like to share veterans’ stories on our website, and with fellow residents and staff. If you would like to share your family member’s story, please visit the Veterans Remember page on our website, where you can complete a form and upload up to three photographs if you like. You may also share your story by contacting Martha by phone at 250.685.3252, or send an email to Martha.mcdougall@broadmeadcare.com.
On-lodge Activities – each lodge at Veterans Memorial Lodge will mark the start of Veterans’ Week (Nov 5) in a way that the residents will enjoy, such as a Tea, watching movies, or unique crafting activities. There will also be opportunities to share stories and reminisce during the week.
Remembrance Wreath – duringVeterans’ Week, there will be a large ‘Lest We Forget’ wreath in front of Veterans Memorial Lodge near the granite memorial and totem pole. You are invited to pin a poppy to the wreath in remembrance. There will also be a wreath on each lodge for residents and staff do to the same.
Remembrance Day– Each lodge within Veterans Memorial Lodge will hold a service on the morning of November 11. In the afternoon, the Canadian Scottish Regimental Association Pipes and Drums will come to Veterans Memorial Lodge, and play outside the main entrance. The specifics of individual services are still being planned, and more details will follow once they are available.
Poppy Campaign
This year looks a little different for the Royal Canadian Legion, too. The usual method of selling poppies won’t be possible, so the Legion has provided a list of Poppy Campaign partners through which you may purchase a poppy. Visit their website to learn more.
You can help spread the word about this year’s Poppy Campaign by sharing this post from the Legion on social media (Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter): This Remembrance Day, we are proud supporters of all our veterans and first-responders who have given their lives for the Canada we enjoy today This Poppy season will look different but you can still find a poppy: https://legion.ca/remembrance/the-poppy-campaign #GetYourPoppy.
The Legion is also offering a selection of goods for sale through the Legion Poppy Store. We are the grateful recipient of proceeds from poppy sales, and we encourage you to take a look and participate in this year’s poppy drive by purchasing themed item, or by visiting one of their Poppy Campaign partners.
Kms4Care
We are halfway through our first virtual sporting event, Kilometres for Care (Kms4Care), and the results have been fantastic! We have 56 people signed up for the event, which asks participants to run 35 km during the month of October (or swim, wheel, or cycle an equivalent distance) to raise funds on behalf of the people who live with Broadmead Care. Together we’ve raised $16,000, and we’re not done yet! You can help by joining in the event, or by donating to us. Visit our website to learn more! Thank you to everyone who is running, cycling, swimming, or wheeling, and thanks to those of you who have donated!
Online Christmas Silent Auction
Through the generosity of one of Broadmead Care’s friends, we will be holding an online silent auction featuring a variety of Christmas decorations and ornaments, including beautiful pieces from Chintz & Company, and Bombay Company. You’ll be able to view lots and place bids from November 16 – 30, so mark your calendars now and add some sparkle to your home for Christmas! Thank you for your continued support of the activities that bring wellbeing and happiness to your loved ones, and for helping us keep everyone as safe as possible.
