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Tips from TAPS: Fun-raising, fundraising and fire extinguishing at Creston seniors program

Therapeutic Activation Program for Seniors enjoyed time with Grizzly Bear Out of School Care kids; staff learned to put out fires...
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Members of the Therapeutic Activation Program for Seniors having fun with kids from Grizzly Bear Out of School Care.

Have you ever heard the term, “the dog days of summer”? According to the dictionary, it is the sultry part of the summer, supposed to occur during the period that Sirius, the Dog Star, rises at the same time as the sun: now often reckoned from July 3-Aug. 11. And, a period marked by lethargy, inactivity or indolence. No doubt because of the heat!

Despite our desire for indolence as we find ways to relax and cool down, summer is also an active time for tasks, and when friends and relatives visit, prompting the urge to get out and enjoy the colour, beauty and features of our valley. At the Therapeutic Activation Program for Seniors, this translates into what’s become a program we call Staycation, being organized by Jamie Pommier, our summer student. She has done a great job of planning regular outings. For example, last week’s activities included a tour to visit the Harris family’s Kootenay Meadows cheese operation.

Sometimes, staying at the centre is where a whole lot of fun-raising happens. For example, today I walked into TAPS to a room filled with youth and seniors and a scene right out of the Mad Hatter’s tea party — and that is exactly what it was. From the colourful decorations, mad hats and joyful sounds as three or four different games were going on, it was clear this was a party. Youth from Grizzly Bear Out of School Care got together with some seniors to make the hats and they were just fabulous, and there were no complaints about the food that Hans and his helpers turned out for the occasion.

At one table, the conversation turned to what the seniors remembered about summer when they were children, and how they cooled off. One person was pretty clear about it: “We worked on a farm on the Prairies and it was sweltering hot and you’d never ask to go for a swim. The crop had to be taken in before the rain. Swimming in the creek was for evening time.” Another talked about ice cream being sold for 10 cents; it was a brick, and you got a slice of it. Then other memories spilled out, about 25 cent movies, for example, and talk of what you could get for five cents.

On the fundraising side of things, we’ve applied for grants to the Vancouver Foundation and New Horizons for Seniors and we’ve been brainstorming on smaller local events — to be announced. Finding ways to be financially sustainable is a reality, as we all know, to find diverse ways to support services such as this, and we do appreciate each and every effort and generosity.

Speaking of heat, and a different kind of fun, it’s not only the seniors that get to play. For the staff one day last week, though, it was serious play. Imagine a blazing hot day, a diesel fire in a barrel and Eric Graham decked out in protective gear — and add in five “extinguisher newbies” and hands-on practice (despite our initial trepidation), along with clear information. We spent an hour at the new fire training centre in Creston with Eric, who is the public safety compliance officer for Creston Fire Rescue. It was an effective session, learning or getting a refresher on everything we needed to know about fires. As part of the fire and safety training aspect of working at TAPS, it really was a useful session. In addition to adding to the safety of everyone and the buildings at TAPS, most of us also went away motivated to reviewing our home situations. I highly recommended it for any group; contact Creston Fire Rescue at 250-428-4321.

Maureen Cameron is the community liaison development co-ordinator for the Therapeutic Activation Program for Seniors.