GEF Seniors Housing Newsletter

community connections
GEF Seniors Housing Newsletter Edition I, 2014
Executive Director Update
Another year is off to an exciting start here at GEF Seniors
Housing. I would like to share some of the things happening
at GEF.
• The Kiwanis residents and staff
are really enjoying the
convenience of having an
in-house mini- drugstore as well
as same or next day prescription
delivery. Pharmacare, one of our
community partners, opened a
tuck shop at that location
where they sell a number of
pharmacy items, in addition
to filling prescriptions for the
residents.
• We recognized fifty-five employees for long service, including
two for twenty-five years of service, at our annual Long Service
Awards which took place on January 17. Everyone enjoyed the
evening which included a multi-course dinner, prepared by our
very own Red Seal chefs, an awards presentation followed by a
social to close the evening.
• Staff are learning about the GEF finances and strategic priorities
at presentations in February and March. We are asking staff to
respond to a couple of questions to get their feedback which
will be used for future strategic planning.
• Our Communications Department is gearing up for the second
annual Gray for a Day summer fundraising event at Sir Winston
Churchill Square. Participants can register individually or as
a team at www.grayforaday.ca The choreography for the flash
mob is now available online so you can start practicing for the
June 3 event.
• Due to our exemplary health and safety record, the Continuing
Care Safety Association let us know that our WCB rates
decreased by 5% for this year. The GEF rate is now 23% below
the industry average.
• GEF is one of the first 23 organizations invited to be part of the
Housing Partnership Canada group. Members will get together
to discuss common issues faced in the housing industry in
Canada.
We look forward to what else the year will bring as we continue
providing friendly, affordable and secure housing for seniors.
Raymond Swonek
Executive Director
• We look forward to welcoming tenants in the Spring of 2015
when construction of Ottewell Terrace is complete.
Seniors
Housing
2014 Long Service Awards
Photos by Photography by Denise
GEF Seniors Housing Newsletter Page 2
Groovy
it's a
way to support
edmonton
seniors
register online
.
.
www grayforaday ca
Gray for a Day
Registration for the second annual
Gray for a Day event is now open at
www.grayforaday.ca Here are some
frequently asked questions about the event.
Where does Gray for a Day take place?
Our event will take place on Tuesday,
June 3, 2014. All you have to do is use the
hairspray provided when you raise $50 and
spray your hair Gray for a Day. If you are in
the downtown core and you would like to
participate in the flash mob at Sir Winston
Churchill Square, join us!
Who can participate?
Anyone and everyone can participate. The
only thing that we ask is that you spray your
hair Gray for a Day! Individuals, groups,
departments, companies, everyone can get
involved. By spraying your hair Gray for a
Day you will be helping to raise awareness
of the need for affordable housing options
for senior citizens in Edmonton.
How do I fundraise?
After you register on our participation
page, you are able to set up your own
fundraising page. Please add a photo, a
personal story and your fundraising goal.
Once this is complete, you will be able to
send your friends and family the page and
encourage them to make a donation to GEF
Seniors Housing and help you meet your
personal goal.
How do I receive my t-shirt and can of
gray hairspray?
Once you have reached the minimum
donation of $50 (for each individual) your
t-shirt and hairspray will be available to pick
up. We will post locations and dates for pick
up at a later date.
Are tax receipts available for donations?
GEF Seniors Housing is a charitable
organization. Every donation of $20.00 or
more will receive a tax receipt.
Check out the fun from last year’s event!
Can I register a team?
Yes! The participation page will provide
detailed instructions on registering a team
to participate in Gray for a Day.
Where do the proceeds from
Gray for a Day go?
Proceeds from this event will be used for the
construction of Ottewell Terrace, our 54-unit
affordable apartment complex in southeast
Edmonton, which will also include a child
care centre.
GEF Seniors Housing Newsletter Page 3
A Celebration of Love
More than 60 residents, tenants and family members attended the Valentine’s Day Wedding themed social at Virginia Park and Global
News was on hand to capture the love in the air.
Recreation Coordinator Marina Miletic said the idea for the event came to her late one night after she had visited with a resident earlier
in the day. She saw the resident’s wedding photo on the wall and they had chatted about the special day. Marina thought “Wow, I
wonder how many other residents have wedding photos and stories to share?”
Marina got to work personally inviting all the husband and wife
couples to the event. The guests of honour sat at reserved tables at
the front of the room and floral boutonnieres, made by one of the
residents, were pinned on them by a volunteer.
Residents and tenants had enough wedding memorabilia to share
that it filled six large tables! There were photos of anniversaries and
weddings dating back over 100 years. Wedding attire on display
included a suit and gown worn over 60 years ago, along with a bible
with its original flowers and ribbon, a Grace Kelly style dress worn
50 years ago and a pink dress, just one of several dresses worn at a
traditional Chinese wedding ceremony.
Everyone enjoyed strawberry shortcake and having their photo taken
underneath the arch decorated with white tulle and large pink and
white flowers.
When asked how he enjoyed the event, one of the lodge residents
became emotional. He said he would never forget the day because of
all the wonderful memories and that he was asked to have his picture
taken underneath the arch made it even more special.
Tom and Mary have been married for 70 years
Ottewell Terrace Construction Update
Despite the cold temperatures, construction at Ottewell Terrace continued
throughout January and February. Some of the highlights include:
•
•
•
•
The entire building has been hoarded in to protect from the weather
during construction.
The concrete floors have all been poured.
Interior partitions construction is underway framing in the
individual suites.
Rough-in of electrical and plumbing is underway throughout
the building.
GEF Seniors Housing Newsletter Page 4
Fun at Work!
Every day at GEF is a great day, but
Rosslyn staff are making ordinary days
extra special.
January 28 was "Fun at Work" day for
Rosslyn Place. Recreation Coordinator
Emily Rotella set up props staff could use
in photos throughout the day.
Other special days Rosslyn staff and
residents enjoy are Compliment Day,
National Hat Day, Thank Your Mailman
Day, Chocolate Mint Day and National
Tortilla Chip Day, just to name a
few! What great ideas for turning
regular days into something extra fun
and enjoyable!
COMING SOON!
BUILDING FOR LIFE
RAFFLE
Connect with GEF
If you would like to receive this
newsletter by email, or if you no
longer want to receive this
publication, please let us know.
Seniors
Housing
E:[email protected]
P:780.482.6561
F:780.488.3561
14220 - 109 Avenue
Edmonton, AB T5N 4B3
www.gef.org
Early Bird Prize $500
Grand Price $1500
TICKETS
AVAILAB
LE
MAY 1!
Tickets will be sold at all GEF locations
GEF Senior Management
Raymond Swonek | Executive Director
Nancy Simmonds | Director of Operations
Tracy MacLeod | Director of Human Resources
Doug Kitlar | Director of Facility Management
Arlene Mazoleski | Controller
GEF Board of Directors
Sharon Patriquin | Chair
Gary Gordon | Vice Chair
Bernie Bolton
Lise Boucher
Patricia Edney
Balvant Gandhi
Jim Murphy
J. Lawrence Tymko
Vivian Zhao

Download Report