The Telus Community Ambassadors recently donated $5,400 to the Therapeutic Activation Program for Seniors (TAPS), thanks to the combined efforts of the Crest View Village Auxiliary (CVVA) and Krafty Kronys.
The Crest View Village Auxiliary knitters donated an average of 790 hours — almost 8,000 hours in 2013 — to make knitted blankets, mitts, hats and dolls, and the Kronys spent 351 hours in September and October to create items specifically for the ambassadors’ fall craft sale. The Telus ambassadors from Cranbrook supported both groups by supplying yarn, fabric and other materials, as well as a list of things they required for their projects and craft sale.
CVVA is an informal and hard working group of seniors who use their time and talents to make the lives of others happier. Men and women, most of whom live in Crest View Village, look after persons who reside in Crest View Care Village by providing birthday cards, Christmas presents, slippers and lap blankets. CVVA has also raised $18,000 to purchase medical equipment for these residents.
Besides supporting TAPS through the Telus Community Ambassadors program they also have sent boxes of gifts, handmade and purchased, to the Shamattawa, Man., Christmas and annually donate cash, several boxes of toys and gifts, and handmade articles to the Creston Ministerial Association’s Christmas hampers.
Of the knitters who work for TAPS and Telus projects, only two are under 85 years of age. Clara Ruska has been the co-ordinator of this group for several years, and is now sharing her duties with Gilda Gilmore.
Telus ambassadors have supported TAPS for three years, a partnership that has given TAPS financial support and also allowed community members an opportunity to use their skills and time to contribute to the communities of the Kootenays.
—THERAPEUTIC ACTIVATION PROGRAM FOR SENIORS