This was the message delivered by Muskoka Seniors program co-ordinator Donna Nairn to a large number of volunteers, guests and board members from Huntsville, Baysville and Dorset, who attended Wednesday’s annual volunteer appreciation luncheon at Faith Baptist Church.

The theme for this year’s event was Volunteers Grow Community, and each of the guests received a packet of shasta daisy seeds.

“The shasta daisy is a perennial flower that keeps growing in size, can be separated, replanted and still continues to flourish,” said Nairn.

“For this reason, the shasta daisy is the national flower of volunteering. The only difference between this wild flower and volunteerism, it seems, is that volunteerism is in season all year long.”

She continued: “Volunteers are the seed of Muskoka Seniors. They are the heart of what we do, and we thank you.”

Greetings were brought to the group from deputy mayor Fran Coleman and MPP for Parry Sound Muskoka Norm Miller. As Nairn introduced the MPP she said she liked his title of chief opposition whip. To laughter Miller replied: “The last time (the lunch was held) we were in the middle of a general election, so I am happy to have any title at all.”

Nairn then told those present about a new provincial initiative that may have a positive impact on Muskoka Seniors.

“Many of you are now familiar with the term LHIN or Local Health Integration Network. The Ontario government is changing the delivery of our health-care services through the creation of the LHIN. Minister Smitherman expressed the ministry of health’s vision as this, ‘A health-care system that helps people stay healthy, delivers good care when they need it, and will be there for their children and grandchildren.’”

To that end, Smitherman recently announced the Aging at Home Strategy under which $702 million will be provided provincially over the next three years to help seniors live at home, said Nairn.

“We at Muskoka Seniors are very excited about this because it was Peggy Graham’s (Muskoka Seniors founder) vision and now our legacy is coming to fruition.”

Muskoka Seniors had put forward two proposals under the strategy, said Nairn. One is to expand the organization’s services and the other is to bring in “an education educator for system navigation of the health-care system.”

“That will amount to $250,000 if we are successful.”

The lunch and door prizes over, Weekender columnist Ken Black took the podium to speak to an article he wrote last fall about the many volunteers in Muskoka, titled Hands Up for Unsung Heroes.

“The article was brought to our notice by one of our dedicated volunteers from Baysville, Shirley Ellis. We felt this was particularly poignant and a wonderful message to these folks,” said Nairn.

Muskoka Seniors Friendship Luncheons have been in place since 1997, so it was fitting that this year’s celebration ended with  the presentation of 10-year service pins to those who were present.

Muskoka Seniors is funded in part by the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care and also through donations. All seniors are able to access the programs which include: friendship luncheons, transportation, friendly visiting, telechat, Circle of Concern and Frozen Meals-on-Wheels.

As with any charitable organization success depends on funding and volunteers, both of which Muskoka Seniors gladly accepts at any time.

For more information on Muskoka Seniors’ programs dial 789-6676. For transportation dial 789-0876. To volunteer, call Karen Waters at 789-0876.