It’s those friends who attend to the needs of the residents by providing programs and raising funds through a variety of activities to purchase items for the benefit of the residents.

Fairvern, situated on quiet, residential Church Street with beautiful gardens overlooking the Muskoka River, celebrated its 25th anniversary earlier this year.

The Friends of Fairvern organization is also 25 years old. Founded by the late Helen Twiddy, the volunteer group currently numbers about 80 members under the leadership of president Jan Hares.

“I do enjoy the old people. They are so sweet,” said Hares. “I take photos at all the All Saints’ parties we hold at the home and then give them to the residents. The smiles on their faces are so rewarding.”

The Friends help the staff in a variety of ways, from the moment a resident enters the home.

“When a new admission comes in a member of the Friends will greet the family and show them around the facility. We want to make them feel welcome,” explained Hares.

The volunteers also help  residents in need of assistance at meal times, and will spend time reading to them. The Friends host a foot clinic every month, transporting residents to and from the clinic. Other programs include music two or three times a week, hair care, walks in the garden, pet visits, a  breakfast club and the popular Sunday teas.

Volunteer Joy McCaskill, a recipient of an Ontario Long Term Care Association (OLTCA) Circle of Excellence Certificate, is in charge of the teas, which she has done for many years, said Hares.

“In May we have a Mothers’ Day Tea for the Friends of Fairvern and they can bring along a relative, special friend, or a neighbour. Anyone is welcome,” Hares said.

“In October we have a President’s Tea and award our volunteers for their years of service.”

This year there were seven service award recipients. Grace Newman (20 years), Anita Denny, Joan Lassiter and Doris Sachsse (15 years), Bill Andrews (10 years) and Wanda Tizzard and Opal Magladry (five years).

The Friends run a small gift shop on the main floor adjacent to the sunroom. “We always need volunteers to help run the shop,” said Hares.

Other programs offered to the residents include the All Saints’ Church theme parties once a month, plus the Friends will help out when asked, for example at Fairvern’s recent 25th anniversary celebration.

Raising money is also a priority for the Friends.

“Our fundraisers include barbecues, tag days and bake sales. We also have homemade pies for sale which are made in the hobby kitchen.”

The frozen, uncooked fruit pies sell for $7 and are available in a freezer located in the main floor sunroom. “There’s a cash box on the window sill. We work on an honour system,” said Hares. “We make over $500 in a year from the sale of our pies, so it’s a good fundraiser for us.”

In addition to their own fundraising activities, the Friends rely on donations and most recently received a cheque for $1,336 from matron and patron Verna Rickward and Bill Earl of the Order of the Eastern Star, Lake of Bays chapter. “The Friends were the recipients of their Eastern Star project this year,” said Hares.

They also received a cheque for $1,000 from a men’s coffee group. “They wanted to stay anonymous.”

The money raised by the Friends determines what equipment on Fairvern’s wish list they can buy.

“We receive a list of things needed for the residents early in the year and then we make our choices,” said Hares.

Some of the numerous items that have been purchased over the years include rocking chairs, shower trolleys, televisions, a refreshment cart, china for the dining room, bedside tables and much, much more.

Finally, every resident at Fairvern receives a birthday card on their special day. No one is forgotten.

As with any volunteer organization, helping hands are always welcome. Anyone who might be interested in offering a few hours to assist at Fairvern is asked to call the Friends’ volunteer co-ordinator Marlene Schell at 789-4363.